INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE

Pay

David Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has remunerated (a) hon. Members, (b) staff and (c) consultants by making payments to companies rather than to the individuals concerned; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Walker: holding answer 27 February 2012
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). I have asked IPSA to reply.
	Letter from Andrew McDonald, dated 13 March 2011
	As Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking whether IPSA has remunerated MPs, its staff or consultants by making payments to companies rather than the individuals concerned.
	All MPs are paid through the PAYE system, with tax and national insurance contributions deducted at source. Similarly, all permanent IPSA staff and Members of the IPSA Board are paid through the PAYE system, either directly by IPSA or—in the case of seconded staff—by their parent body. Temporary staff are provided through employment agencies which are responsible for paying the individuals concerned.
	Since May 2010, IPSA has contracted with a number of small companies for a variety of technical, accountancy and consultancy services.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Cybercrime: Prosecutions

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions there have been for offences relating to cybercrime in the last year for which figures are available.

Edward Garnier: There is no specific offence of cybercrime. A number of offences may involve the use of a computer or a network in the commission of or as a target of crime. The Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office do not record centrally the number of prosecutions that may relate to cybercrime and such information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Human Trafficking

Peter Bone: To ask the Attorney-General what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on reviewing laws relating to human trafficking.

Edward Garnier: The Law Officers meet regularly with Ministers from the Home Department to discuss a range of issues, including human trafficking. The Home Office recently led a review of legislation relating to human trafficking and consulted the Law Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service about proposed amendments to offences. The Protection of Freedoms Bill contains the current proposed amendments.

PRIME MINISTER

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to update the House on the Government's strategy in Afghanistan.

David Cameron: I answered questions on the Government's strategy in Afghanistan at Prime Minister's Questions on 7 March 2012. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made an oral statement on progress in Afghanistan on 9 February 2012, Official Report, columns 496-99. This was the fifth in a series of quarterly oral statements made by the Government since 2010. Fourteen progress reports have been produced as written ministerial statements since 2010.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss the situation in Afghanistan when he next meets President Obama; and what his priorities are in respect of Afghanistan for that meeting.

David Cameron: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles) on 7 March 2012, Official Report, column 837.

Business Advisory Group

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the minutes of his meeting with his Business Advisory Group on 6 February 2012.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid Sussex (Nicholas Soames) on 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 541W.

Foreign Relations

Jim Murphy: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  when (a) he and (b) senior officials of his Office last had discussions on the Eurofighter Typhoon with their counterparts in (i) Oman, (ii) UAE, (iii) Malaysia, (iv) Qatar, (v) Saudi Arabia and (vi) India;
	(2)  when was the last time (a) he and (b) senior No. 10 officials met their counterparts in (i) Oman, (ii) United Arab Emirates, (iii) Malaysia, (iv) Qatar, (v) Saudi Arabia and (vi) India.

David Cameron: I have been heavily involved in efforts to secure additional export orders for Eurofighter Typhoon.
	Eurofighter Typhoon has been discussed in my recent contacts with counterparts in Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, India and Qatar.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Fuel Poverty

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 8 March 2012, Official Report, columns 993-94, on fuel poverty, how many households were in fuel poverty in (a) 2009 and (b) 1996.

Gregory Barker: The number of households in fuel poverty in these years is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of households in fuel poverty 
			 Million 
			  UK England 
			 2009 5.5 4.0 
			 1996 6.5 5.1

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the total value of unpaid interest a household would be required to pay in order to end a 25-year Green Deal plan for measures worth £10,000 with interest charged at 5 per cent. per annum after five years of payment.

Gregory Barker: This depends entirely on whether the provider has incurred a loss as a result of the early repayment. As a credit agreement, certain Green Deals will be subject to the Consumer Credit Act; the rules around early repayment and any fees that may apply are set out in this Act and associated regulations and are based on the consumer credit directive. We set out proposals in our consultation to allow Green Deal providers to rely on section 95B of the Consumer Credit Act to claim additional compensation, above what is currently permitted, but only where the interest rate is fixed and the plan runs for more than 15 years.
	Our ultimate objective is to keep the cost of finance as low as possible for all Green Deal customers. Our aim in allowing this compensation is to enable Green Deal providers to claim any losses directly from someone who is choosing to repay their plan early, rather than pricing this risk into all Green Deal plans.
	However, there are restrictions around the compensation to ensure fairness for consumers; any compensation claimed should only cover the loss the Green Deal provider has suffered as a consequence of a customer choosing to repay early. That compensation must also be fair and objectively justifiable. The amount is ultimately capped at the amount of interest that would have been payable had the plan continued, but opportunities to reinvest need to be taken into account.
	In the example given, if the Green Deal provider could reinvest the money repaid early in another Green Deal plan earning at least the same rate of interest, it is highly unlikely any compensation at all could be justifiably charged. If the Green Deal provider could reinvest the money repaid early but at a lower interest rate, the maximum compensation due would not be the full amount of unpaid interest but the difference between what would have been received and what will now be received.
	We received a number of responses on this specific issue in the consultation, and we will set out more fully the government response shortly on this as well as detailed guidance on how GDPs should work out any potential compensation. In all cases, Green Deal providers remain free not to charge any fee at all if they feel able to manage the risk of early repayment in other ways, and Green Deal providers will need to set out their approach to early repayment fees at the outset of the contract.

Local Energy Assessment Fund

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2012, Official Report, column 554W, on Local Energy Assessment Fund, if he will list the (a) successful and (bunsuccessful applications by parliamentary constituency.

Gregory Barker: We do not have a list of all successful and unsuccessful Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) applications by parliamentary constituency. Details of successful projects are available on the interactive LEAF map, which is on the DECC website:
	http://ceo.decc.gov.uk
	In addition, I recently wrote to hon. Members with successful projects in their constituencies to encourage them to offer their support.
	I am placing the two lists, which relate to LEAF Phase 1 and Phase 2 and which were used to contact Members in this way, in the Libraries of the House. For some LEAF projects, that potentially cut across several hon. Members' constituencies, more than one hon. Member is shown.

Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of contracts issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for which he is responsible were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gregory Barker: The value of contracts awarded to small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) is as follows:
	(a) For the Department of Energy and Climate Change:
	£1.4 million was spent with SMEs from 1 April to 31 December 2011, representing 3% of all DECC expenditure with suppliers in this period. DECC does not have a central record of contracts. It would incur disproportionate cost for DECC to establish the proportion of contracts let in this period to SMEs.
	(b) For DECC’ s  non- departmental public bodies:
	As with DECC, the following data represents the percentage of payments made to SMEs between 1 April and 31 December 2011, not the percentage of contracts let to SMEs which is not available.
	Nuclear Decommissioning Authority—16% (£3.8 million)
	Civil Nuclear Police Authority—Data not available
	Coal Authority(1)—22% (£4.6 million)
	Committee on Climate Change—97% (£ value not supplied)
	(1) This is an estimated percentage based on the minimum amounts that could have been spent with SMEs. It is possible that the figure could be higher.

Work Experience

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 688W, on departmental work experience, how many people (a) worked as an intern, (b) undertook a work experience placement and (c) worked as a volunteer in his Department in accordance with the hiring criteria set out in that answer in the last 12 months for which data are available; and how many such people were employed other than according to those criteria.

Gregory Barker: During the past 12 months, in DECC (a) 22 people have been employed as interns (advertised short-term contracts), (b) 11 people have undertaken work experience placements and (c) nobody worked as a volunteer in accordance with the hiring criteria set out in our answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 688W, no people in these criteria were employed by any other means.

SCOTLAND

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the (a) Home Department and (b) Scottish Government on the future of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's offices in Scotland.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), and I are in regular contact with Home Office Ministers and Scottish Government Ministers on a range of matters. The location of Equality and Human Rights Commission offices is an operational matter for that organisation to consider.

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeals his Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has made no appeals to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Lost Property

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what property has been lost or stolen from his Department in the last 12 months; and what the estimated cost was of replacement of such property.

David Mundell: In the last 12 months, six items have been reported as lost or stolen. The Scotland Office incurred costs of £667 to replace the items.
	
		
			 Item Circumstances Replacement cost (£) 
			 BlackBerry Lost while being carried by the Scottish Government van service 125 
			 Rail tickets Lost while being carried by the Scottish Government van service 114 
			 Rail tickets Lost while being carried by the Scottish Government van service 53.20 
			 BlackBerry Stolen or lost 125 
			 BlackBerry Stolen or lost 125 
			 BlackBerry Stolen 125

McKinsey and Company

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department paid to McKinsey and Company in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office paid nothing to McKinsey and Company in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

Remploy

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what recent discussions his Department has had with Remploy concerning the procurement of goods;
	(2)  whether his Department has procured any goods from Remploy factories; and if so what the value was of such procurements.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not generally undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It utilises framework contracts between suppliers and other Government bodies. All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money.

Work Experience

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 661W, on departmental work experience, how many people (a) worked as an intern, (b) undertook a work experience placement and (c) worked as a volunteer in his Department in accordance with the hiring criteria set out in that answer in the last 12 months for which data are available; and how many such people were employed other than according to those criteria.

David Mundell: In the last 12 months the Scotland Office had one intern as part of the Whitehall Interns scheme in July 2011. The scheme was developed in response to a pledge in the coalition agreement to provide internships in every Whitehall Department for people from under-represented groups, including black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. The Office also had one person who undertook work experience in September 2011. No volunteers have worked in the Department. The Office has continued to assess requests on a case by case basis in accordance with the answer of 3 May 2011.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Responsibilities

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates he had meetings with the Home Secretary to discuss (a) drug classification, (b) the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, (c) explosives, (d) security, (e) extradition and (f) immigration in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

Owen Paterson: I have regular meetings with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), covering a variety of topics on areas of mutual concern.

EU Grants and Loans

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2012, Official Report, column 44W, on EU grants and loans, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Minister for Europe, (b) Irish Government and (c) Northern Ireland Executive on the future of EU funding for the Peace III programme; if he will give the dates of such discussions in the last year; and if he will make a statement.

Owen Paterson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 12 March 2012, Official Report, column 44W.

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many appeals his Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Hugo Swire: None.

McKinsey and Company

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department paid to McKinsey and Company in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: The Northern Ireland Office have no record of any payments to McKinsey and Company during 2010-11 or 2011-12.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2012, Official Report, column 491W, on departmental responsibilities, on what dates (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and what was discussed at each such meeting.

Owen Paterson: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 5 March 2012, Official Report, column 491W. The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), and I regularly meet the Chief Constable of the PSNI and discuss a variety of topics of mutual concern.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the work of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the replacement of the Serious Organised Crime Agency with the National Crime Agency.

Hugo Swire: Matters relating to the Serious Organised Crime Agency's work in Northern Ireland all under the responsibility of the devolved administration in Northern Ireland.
	y officials are working closely with their counterparts in the Home Office on the current proposals in relation to the National Crime Agency.

Terrorism: Belfast

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of levels of terrorist activity in East Belfast; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his assessment is of the state of Loyalist ceasefires;
	(3)  whether he has received any recent representations from, or had any recent discussions with, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding Loyalist paramilitary activity and threat levels in Belfast East constituency;
	(4)  what recent assessment he has made of the level of loyalist paramilitary activity in East Belfast.

Hugo Swire: Since Friday 9 March, there have been three pipe bomb attacks in the constituency of Belfast East. I utterly condemn these acts, which I understand to be serious and dangerous criminality. These attacks are currently under police investigation and there is no indication at present that these were related to national security. Both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), and I have regular and frequent contact with the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
	I have not discussed these matters with him as responsibility for non-national security related policing and justice matters is devolved.
	As the Secretary of State said in his recent statement on the Northern Ireland security situation, both the UDA and UVF leadership remain committed to their ceasefires, although there has been unsanctioned violent activity including involvement in a wide range of acts of criminality.

WALES

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many appeals her Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

David Jones: None.

Lost Property

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what property has been lost or stolen from her Department in the last 12 months; and what the estimated cost was of replacement of such property.

David Jones: During the last 12 months, one mobile telephone was reported as lost; this was not replaced.

McKinsey and Company

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department paid to McKinsey and Company in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Wales Office has made no payments to McKinsey and Company.

Railways: Electrification

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport, (b) the First Minister of the Welsh Government and (c) the business community in South Wales on rail electrification from Cardiff to Swansea; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening) and the First Minister on rail electrification. The issue has also been discussed with members of the business community in Wales, through the Secretary of State's Business Advisory Group and, at the end of February, the Secretary of State discussed the matter with new chief executive of the CBI Wales.
	The case for electrification between Cardiff and Swansea remains under review and the Wales Office continues to make a case for the economic benefits that electrification to Swansea would bring.

Remploy

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with Welsh Government Ministers on the transfer of Welsh Remploy budgets to Wales; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), has discussed the issue of Remploy with the First Minister. Last week I met with Leighton Andrews AM, Welsh Government Minister for Education and Skills, and the Minister for Disabled People, my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller), to discuss the future of the factories. There are no plans for Remploy budgets to be devolved to the Welsh Government.

Remploy

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  whether her Department has procured any goods from Remploy factories; and what the value of any such procurements was;
	(2)  what recent discussions her Department has had with Remploy concerning the procurement of goods.

David Jones: The Wales Office uses the procurement buying power of the Ministry of Justice, to ensure maximum savings to the public purse. We do not perform any of our own procurement.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Betting

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the proportion of betting which takes place through electronic point of sale systems; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: No estimate has been made on the proportion of betting which takes place through electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems. However, in his report on the use of dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings, the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster), suggested that all major high street licensed betting offices use EPOS systems to place a bet, determine odds and calculate winnings.

Betting: Dormant Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if he will take steps to require that electronic point of sale systems used for betting can hold details of unclaimed winnings; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will take steps to require that betting shops are electronically linked for the purpose of settling bets; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: We will consider the points made by the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) about the use of electronic point of sale systems in his report on the use of funds in dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings.

Betting: Dormant Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on the length of time unused customer accounts held by betting companies should be held before being deemed to be dormant; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) suggested the length of time unused customer accounts should be held by companies before being deemed to be dormant should be 18 months. This proposal will be considered, alongside the rest of his report's recommendations.

Betting: Dormant Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he takes to monitor the efforts of commercial betting operators to contact customers who have dormant accounts or unclaimed winnings; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Government do not monitor the interactions of individual businesses with their customers, although this issue was looked at as part of the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster)’s investigation into the use of dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings. The report is available at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Dormant_Betting_Accounts_Report_Don_Foster_Dec_2010.pdf

Betting: Dormant Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the amount held by betting companies in unclaimed winnings and dormant betting accounts; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) considered this issue as part of his investigation into the use of dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings. He reported, in December 2010, that it had not been possible to obtain this information from the majority of betting operators, but noted that the unclaimed dividends from pool betting with the Tote was £944,000 in 2009-10.

Betting: Dormant Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is on the proportion of the money held by betting companies in the form of unclaimed winnings and dormant betting accounts that should be paid to the Government; for what purpose he would use such monies; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: In his report on the use of funds in dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings, the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster), suggested that 75% of unclaimed funds could be invested in activities such as grassroots sports, with the operator retaining the remaining 25%, on the understanding that they would use this to pay the customer if they returned to collect their winnings. The Government will consider all of the recommendations in his report once we have legislated for our proposals for remote gambling, as proposed in his report.

Betting: Dormant Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with commercial betting operators regarding dormant accounts and unclaimed winnings; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The subject has been mentioned briefly in a variety of meetings on other topics and I have made clear that, as proposed in the report by the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster), I do not intend to address the issue until we have legislated to reform remote gambling.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the paper his Department prepared on discharging its responsibilities towards the British Overseas Territories;
	(2)  pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 14 September 2011, Official Report, column 48WS, on the Overseas Territories Strategy, if he will publish the paper his Department prepared on how it intends to recognise its responsibility to engage with the British Overseas Territories.

John Penrose: This Department's publication outlining how we support the Overseas Territories within the fields of communications, culture and sport is available at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/8920.aspx
	A copy wilt be placed in both House Libraries. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office plan to publish a White Paper setting out the Government's overall approach to the Overseas Territories shortly.

Broadband: Urban Areas

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 31 January 2012, Official Report, column 6W, from which budget the Urban Broadband Fund comes from.

Edward Vaizey: At the autumn statement, the Government took action to ensure the fiscal plan remains on course. It reduced public spending permanently in the medium and long term, making the fiscal position more sustainable. The Government used the savings from these decisions in the short term to support balanced economic growth, social mobility and to help young people find work. As part of this, £100 million was allocated to the Urban Broadband Fund.

Film

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what meetings he has had with stakeholders regarding (a) the UK film industry and (b) Twickenham Film Studios in the last 12 months.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), and I meet regularly with representatives of the British film industry. Details of all meetings with external organisations are published on our website:
	www.transparency.culture.gov.uk
	I have had no discussions on Twickenham Film Studios.

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many appeals his Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not appealed a decision notice issued by the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Lost Property

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what property has been (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Department in the last 12 months; and what the estimated cost was of replacement of such property.

John Penrose: In the last 12 months, one memory stick, one pager, two BlackBerrys and three RSA tokens have been lost from this Department. One laptop and one BlackBerry have been stolen. The cost of replacing this property was £665.

McKinsey and Company

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department paid to McKinsey and Company in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has made no payments to McKinsey and Company in the years 2010-11 or 2011-12 to the end of February 2012.

Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of contracts issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for which he is responsible were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in the latest period for which figures are available.

John Penrose: During the financial year 2010-11, 43% of the Departments total procurement spend went to small and medium sized enterprises (SME's). The Department has not yet assessed the proportion for the current financial year to date.
	The Department does not collate this information for its agency. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of the Royal Parks to write directly to the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West with this information.

Radio Frequencies: Mobile Phones

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of consumers living in the not-spots identified in Appendix C of the Mobile Infrastructure Project would have (a) outdoor coverage and (b) indoor coverage if (i) 900 Mhz, (ii) 800 Mhz, (c) 1800 Mhz and (iv) 2100 Mhz spectrum were used.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom’s Infrastructure report published last November reports on 2G and 3G in their respective bands (2G uses 900 MHz and 1800 MHz and 3G uses 2100 MHz). The Ofcom report concentrates on outdoor coverage only. Appendix C of the Infrastructure report uses the 2G coverage data to identify total not-spots, defined as where no operator offers a service. The 800 MHz spectrum is due to be released for auction later this year. The use of 800 MHz on existing 2G sites, or the reuse of the 900 MHz band for 3G or 4G would not be expected to significantly reduce total spots, which is why the Mobile Infrastructure Project aims to add additional sites to provide coverage to premises in not-spots.

Radio Frequencies: Mobile Phones

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of the distribution of low frequency spectrum licences on the competitiveness of the mobile telephony sector.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has made no assessment of this, as it is a matter for Ofcom who regulate spectrum. The direction to Ofcom of 2010 included a requirement to assess competition in the mobile market, both current and future, and to take that into account in the design of the forthcoming 4G auction.
	Ofcom have a current consultation on the design of the auction which closes on 22 March.

Telecommunications

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposals in the forthcoming Communications Green Paper on fundamental freedoms and rights as outlined in Objective 3 of the UK Cyber Security Strategy.

Edward Vaizey: The forthcoming Green Paper will reflect the work already underway to deliver against the cyber security strategy, published last November. The Government are a strong supporter of freedom of expression on the internet and will continue to encourage States that restrict access to online media to uphold their international human rights commitments. In October last year, I attended the Council of Europe/Austrian conference in Vienna, in my capacity as Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative industries. This was to help facilitate endorsement of the “Internet Governance 2012-2015 Council of Europe Strategy” in early 2012, which identifies priorities for 2012-2015 to advance the protection and respect for human rights, the rule of law, and democracy on the Internet.

Television: Licensing

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the likely cost of extending the free television licence to all pensioner households.

Edward Vaizey: The Government have not made any estimate.
	The Government fund free TV licences for pensioners aged 75 or over because, as a group, they are more likely to be reliant on television for information and entertainment, for reasons of poor health, lack of mobility and social isolation (as well as, on average, having lower incomes than younger pensioners). This relieves large numbers of older people of a substantial household bill for a service that is especially important to them. The Government have no plans to change the current age criteria.

Work Experience

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 11 May 2011, Official Report, column 1255W, on departmental work experience, how many people (a) worked as an intern, (b) undertook a work experience placement and (c) worked as a volunteer in his Department in accordance with the hiring criteria set out in that answer in the last 12 months for which data are available; and how many such people were employed other than according to those criteria.

John Penrose: In the last 12 months this Department has had three people undertake work placements. Two of the placements were arranged through the centrally run Whitehall Internship Programme for people from under-represented groups. One placement was arranged outside of the hiring criteria set out in the answer of 11 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1255-56W. This exception was because it was a specialist work experience arranged to promote our Government Art Collection.

TREASURY

Air Passenger Duty

Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of varying rates of air passenger duty (APD) according to which airport a passenger flies from within England; and if he will assess the effects of varying rates of APD on levels of economic activity across England.

Chloe Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) on 23 January 2012, Official Report, column 31W.

Alcoholic Drinks

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had on alcohol minimum pricing with (i) members of the beverage alcohol manufacturing industry, (ii) supermarkets, (iii) pubs and other members of the on-trade and (iv) members of health and other alcohol-related non-governmental organisations since September 2011.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
	The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations, available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm

Departmental Official Hospitality

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what official (a) lunches, (b) dinners and (c) receptions he hosted in each of the last six months; and what the (i) location, (ii) cost to the public purse and (iii) purpose was of each such event;
	(2)  what official (a) lunches, (b) dinners and (c) receptions he hosted in each of the last 12 months; and what the (i) location, (ii) total cost to the public purse and (iii) purpose was of each event.

Chloe Smith: In the last 16 months the Chancellor and other HM Treasury Ministers have hosted more than 20 receptions at No. 11 Downing street. All of these have been for charities, with no cost to the public purse for any of the receptions held.
	A breakdown of meetings held with external organisations is available on the HM Treasury website:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm

Devolution: Scotland

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the reduction in the rate of corporation tax on Barnett consequentials for Scotland between 2011 and 2015.

Danny Alexander: Barnett consequentials are calculated on departmental expenditure limit (DEL) spending; therefore there will be no Barnett consequentials following the reduction in the rate of corporation tax.

Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles

David Crausby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue accrued to the Exchequer from vehicle excise duty in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chloe Smith: The latest out-turn figure for vehicle excise duty is for 2010-11 at £5.8 billion, published in table 'C.3: current receipts: OBR forecast' of autumn statement 2011, Cm8231. Receipts figures will be updated in the 2012 Budget report.

Fuels: Prices

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has had discussions with large supermarkets and large fuel providers on regional pricing of fuel.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
	The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations, available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm

ICT

Stephen Mosley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage growth and innovation in the information and communications technology sector.

Edward Vaizey: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport.
	This Department is delivering a number of programmes and initiatives that will support growth and innovation both in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, and across the economy more generally. For example, we are spending £780 million on programmes aimed at ensuring that we have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015—infrastructure investment that is essential to allowing innovative companies, especially in the ICT sectors to grow and to flourish. We are also working with Ofcom to ensure that the auction of spectrum for 4G mobile can take place at the end of this year.
	We will shortly be publishing a Green Paper setting out proposals for a regulatory framework for the communications and broadcasting sectors aimed at providing a supportive environment for growth and innovation. This Department is also working closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and other Departments to promote the establishment of a true digital single market, which will support innovation in the ICT sectors as well as providing much wider economic benefits.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Robert Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people resident in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituency who will no longer pay income tax consequent (a) on the proposed increase in the personal allowance from April 2012 and (b) on the proposed increase in the personal allowance to £10,000 by April 2015.

David Gauke: The 2011 Budget announced a £630 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £8,105 in 2012-13 (£240 above indexation), with an equivalent reduction in the basic rate limit to leave the higher rate threshold unchanged.
	As a result of these measures the Government estimated that in 2012-13 260,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether. Information at Government office region is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Government office region Number taken out of income tax (thousand) 
			 North East 10 
			 North West and Merseyside 28 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 26 
			 East Midlands 18 
			 West Midlands 25 
			 East of England 25 
			 London 30 
			 South East 32 
			 South West 24 
		
	
	
		
			 Wales 10 
			 Scotland 21 
			 Northern Ireland 9 
			 Address abroad/unknown 3 
			 All 260 
		
	
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.
	Reliable estimates are not available at parliamentary constituency level, due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas and small sample sizes.
	The Government are committed to supporting lower and middle income earners by raising the personal allowance to £10,000, and removing the lowest income individuals out of income tax. Decisions on future changes in the personal allowance will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Ian Swales: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people resident in Redcar constituency who will no longer pay income tax consequent (a) on the proposed increase in the personal allowance from April 2012 and (b) on the proposed increase in the personal allowance to £10,000 by April 2015.

David Gauke: The 2011 Budget announced a £630 cash increase in the personal allowance for under-65s to £8,105 in 2012-13 (£240 above indexation), with an equivalent reduction in the basic rate limit to leave the higher rate threshold unchanged.
	As a result of these measures, the Government estimated that in 2012-13, 260,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether. Information at Government office region is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Government office region Number taken out of income tax (Thousand) 
			 North East 10 
			 North West and Merseyside 28 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 26 
			 East Midlands 18 
			 West Midlands 25 
			 East of England 25 
			 London 30 
			 South East 32 
			 South West 24 
			 Wales 10 
			 Scotland 21 
			 Northern Ireland 9 
			 Address abroad/unknown 3 
			 All 260 
		
	
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.
	Reliable estimates are not available at parliamentary constituency level, due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas and small sample sizes.
	The Government are committed to supporting lower and middle income earners by raising the personal allowance to £10,000, and removing the lowest income individuals out of income tax. Decisions on future changes in the personal allowance will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Michael Crockart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people in Edinburgh West constituency will no longer pay income tax due to his proposed increase in the personal allowance (a) from April 2012 and (b) by April 2015;

Charles Kennedy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people resident in Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency who will no longer pay income tax due to his proposed increase in the personal allowance (a) from April 2012 and (b) by April 2015.

David Gauke: The 2011 Budget announced a £630 cash increase in the personal allowance for under 65s to £8,105 in 2012-13 (£240 above indexation), with an equivalent reduction in the basic rate limit to leave the higher rate threshold unchanged.
	As a result of these measures the Government estimated that in 2012-13 260,000 of the lowest income taxpayers will be removed from tax altogether. Information at Government Office Region is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Government Office Region Number taken out of Income Tax (thousand) 
			 North East 10 
			 North West and Merseyside 28 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 26 
			 East Midlands 18 
			 West Midlands 25 
			 East of England 25 
			 London 30 
			 South East 32 
			 South West 24 
			 Wales 10 
			 Scotland 21 
			 Northern Ireland 9 
			 Address abroad/unknown 3 
			 All 260 
		
	
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 economic and fiscal outlook.
	Reliable estimates are not available at parliamentary constituency level, due to greater uncertainties in projections for small geographical areas and small sample sizes.
	The Government are committed to supporting lower and middle income earners by raising the personal allowance to £10,000, and removing the lowest income individuals out of income tax. Decisions on future changes in the personal allowance will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will estimate the number of nurses in each (a) region and (b) local authority area who will no longer be eligible to pay income tax following the increase in the personal allowance in April 2012;
	(2)  if he will estimate the number of nurses in each (a) region and (b) local authority area who will no longer be eligible to pay income tax once the income tax threshold is set to £10,000.

David Gauke: The increase in the personal allowance by £630 for those aged under 65 is estimated to remove the 260,000 lowest income taxpayers out of income tax altogether in 2012-13. In combination with the £1,000 increase in the personal allowance in 2011-12, the increases in the personal allowance announced by this Government will remove an estimated 1.1 million individuals out of income tax altogether by 2012-13.
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes data projected to 2011-12 and 2012-13 in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 forecast assumptions.
	The Government are committed to supporting lower and middle income earners by raising the personal allowance to £10,000, and removing the lowest income individuals out of income tax. Decisions on future changes in the personal allowance will be taken as part of the annual Budget process in the context of the wider public finances.
	The information requested is not available specifically for nurses.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people living in rural communities in each income decile who will benefit from the proposed increase in the personal allowance of income tax in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

David Gauke: The increase in the personal allowance by £630 for those aged under 65 is estimated to remove the 260,000 lowest income taxpayers out of income tax altogether in 2012-13. In combination with the £1,000 increase in the personal allowance in 2011-12, the increases in the personal allowance announced by this Government will remove an estimated 1.1 million individuals out of income tax altogether by 2012-13.
	These estimates are based on the 2007-08 Survey of Personal Incomes data projected to 2011-12 and 2012-13 in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2011 forecast assumptions.
	Geographical information within HMRC administrative systems does not align with urban or rural status of communities; the information at this level is therefore not available.

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals his Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Chloe Smith: None.

Loans: Students

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of graduates who will repay their student loans (a) in full and (b) in part through the early repayment system.

David Willetts: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	There is no estimate available of the total number of borrowers who will partly or fully repay their student loans early.
	The following tables show the number of borrowers (English domiciled students in UK Higher Education Institutions and EU students in English Higher Education Institutions) making early repayments and the amounts they repaid, in the last three financial years.
	
		
			 Early repayments England and EU in England 
			 Thousand 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Count of Borrowers 170.9 113.1 122.1 
		
	
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Early Repayment Amount 314.5 225.6 263.2

Stamp Duty Land Tax: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the value of stamp duty collected in Wales in each of the last five years; what assessment he has made of the effect on the housing market in Wales of the stamp duty holiday for first time home buyers; and what discussions he has had on devolving powers over the setting of stamp duty in Wales to the National Assembly for Wales.

Chloe Smith: HMRC publishes details of the amount of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) collected by region on its website at the following address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/stamp_duty/menu.htm
	The following table shows the amount of SDLT collected in Wales from residential and non-residential transactions in each of the last five years.
	
		
			 SDLT Yield 
			 £ million 
			  Residential Non-residential Total 
			 2006-07 130 110 240 
			 2007-08 130 80 210 
			 2008-09 55 60 115 
			 2009-10 55 45 100 
			 2010-11 65 50 115 
		
	
	HMRC published an evaluation of the UK-wide impact of the first time buyers' relief in November 2011, which can be found at this address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/sdlt-ftb-workingpaper.pdf
	No evaluation of the specific impact on the housing market in Wales has been made.
	Treasury Ministers have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Tax Allowances: Arts

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider implementing a tax credit to support the (a) television, (b) computer gaming and (c) animation industry.

David Gauke: All aspects of the tax system are kept under review and any new policies are announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Budget.

Taxation: Air Ambulance Services

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had on an exemption for air ambulances from fuel duty.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
	When aircraft are used as air ambulances they are not subject to fuel duty.

Taxation: Average Earnings

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total amount of (a) income tax and (b) employee national insurance contributions which someone on average earnings would pay over their lifetime in current prices.

David Gauke: The information requested is not available.

Taxation: Bingo

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on bingo taxation.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Taxation: Bingo

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on taxation of bingo.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Taxation: Bingo

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the gross profit tax levied on (a) bingo clubs and (b) bookmakers; and for what reasons the rates are different.

Chloe Smith: The rates of general betting duty, and bingo duty were set by the previous Government. Bingo duty is charged at 20% of gross profits and
	general betting duty is charged at 15% of gross profits. The March 2011 Budget left rates unchanged. All taxes, including gambling taxes, are kept under review.

Taxation: Construction

Ben Gummer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the reform of the Construction Industry Scheme.

David Gauke: Questions about future plans for the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) are kept under review as part of the usual Budget process.

Taxation: Fines

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax return penalties were issued to individuals in each of the last five financial years; how many such penalties were appealed; and what proportion of those were successful.

David Gauke: The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost, as it is not centrally held by HM Revenue and Customs data systems.

Taxation: Gambling

Clive Efford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with betting companies located offshore on the payment of taxes based on the proportion of their business that originates in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
	The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations, available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/minister_hospitality.htm

Taxation: Gambling

Clive Efford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that all betting companies pay taxes based on the proportion of their business that originates from customers based in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: On 18 July 2011, the Government announced their intention to review the taxation regime for remote gambling, looking at the case for taxing operators on the basis of customer location.
	The Government expect to announce the outcome of the review at Budget 2012.

Taxation: Gambling

Clive Efford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue that would be generated if tax was levied on all online gambling business generated by customers based in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The Government are reviewing the case for changing the basis of taxation for remote gambling by moving to a place of consumption basis of taxation. The Government expect to announce the outcome of the review at Budget 2012.
	The revenue that a place of consumption based taxation regime would generate would depend on rates and design of the regime.

Taxation: Self-employed

Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many CIS4 forms were processed by HM Revenue and Customs in the last financial year.

David Gauke: Since the HMRC Construction Industry Scheme changed in 2007, the CIS4 has been obsolete. As a result no CIS4 forms were processed in the last financial year by HM Revenue and Customs.

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many times HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has written off an overpayment of tax credits due to HMRC (a) not updating its records when an updated address has been provided and (b) other administrative errors in the last five years;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to ensure that HM Revenue and Customs reduces the number of incidents of overpayment of tax credits.

David Gauke: Information is not available in the format requested.
	Tax credits overpayments are a feature of a flexible and responsive system that is designed to respond to changes in people's income and circumstances. An overpayment can arise for a variety of reasons and the tax credits IT system does not have the facility to record the reason(s) why HMRC believe an overpayment has arisen.
	HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions have introduced an integrated approach to tackling fraud and error. The two Departments have joined together on a number of initiatives and the strategy document ‘Tackling fraud and error in the benefit and tax credits systems’ outlines how a more aligned approach will be adopted to reduce fraud and error.

TRANSPORT

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which organisations that responded to the consultation on High Speed 2 expressed concern over the current single track proposal for the link between High Speed 1 and 2.

Justine Greening: The consultation recorded considerable support for directly linking HS2 and HS1, as it will open up the opportunity for direct international rail travel from the Midlands and the North. 124 respondents to the consultation expressed concern over the proposal for a single rather than dual-track link between HS1 and HS2.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will announce a timetable for the further review of the link between High Speed 1 and 2.

Justine Greening: I have commissioned HS2 Ltd to continue discussions with Network Rail and Transport for London to consider further options for the pathing of freight and passenger services and to further refine the infrastructure modifications that would be required, and they will report to me in advance of the submission to Parliament of the planned hybrid Bill.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what compensation will be available to deal with unforeseen circumstances of High Speed 2 affecting residents in its vicinity.

Justine Greening: We have already acted to support homeowners who are affected by hardship and need to move. The Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) has, since August 2010, allowed owner-occupiers who needed to move urgently and who were prevented from doing so because of blight caused by the plans for HS2 to sell their property to the Government. The EHS will continue to accept applications until the autumn.
	As I announced in January, we will consult in the spring on a range of further measures to address blight issues and to reassure property owners.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to ensure that pre-blight house prices are secured for those (a) eligible for compulsory purchase or (b) under statutory blight as a result of High Speed 2.

Justine Greening: Under the compulsory purchase legislation, and the provisions relating to Statutory Blight, owners of property that is required to be purchased are paid the full unblighted market value of their interest in the property.
	The valuations are carried out by two valuers, one of whom is chosen by the Government and the other of whom is chosen by the claimants. If terms cannot be agreed the case can be referred by either party to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many appeals her Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has made no appeals contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Motor Vehicles: Registration

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles were registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Michael Penning: At the end of September 2011 there were 34,472,287 licensed vehicles on the DVLA register. There were also 2,079,105 vehicles on the register with Statutory Off Road Notifications (SORN).
	In addition, the DVLA register included 54,633,816 ‘unlicensed' vehicles. These records are of vehicles that were neither licensed nor had an off road notification on 30 September 2011. It is likely that the vast majority of these vehicles have been unofficially scrapped, exported or written off but have not been removed from the database.
	It is likely that some of the ‘unlicensed' vehicles have remained unlicensed continuously since the SORN requirements were introduced in January 1998. The keepers of any vehicles that have not been licensed since January 1998 are not obliged to provide the DVLA with an off road notification. It is not possible to identify the records of vehicles that meet this criteria. Therefore it is impossible to estimate how many of the 'unlicensed' vehicles still exist and how many have been disposed of.
	These figures are for vehicles that are registered in Great Britain and they do not include vehicles registered with diplomatic plates or British Forces vehicles.

Motorway Service Areas

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the regulations to trade which motorway service stations must operate within are.

Michael Penning: Department for Transport Circular 01/2008 sets out policy in relation to motorway service areas and other roadside facilities on motorways and trunk roads.
	Operators are encouraged to provide a range of alternative catering outlets to increase the choice available to road users. To further support this, I am currently considering ways to reduce regulation, increase competition and improve still further the quality of motorway service areas.

Motorway Service Areas

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on regulations governing trade at motorway service stations.

Michael Penning: There have been no discussions between the two Departments on regulations governing trade at motorway service areas.
	Department for Transport Circular 01/2008 sets out policy in relation to motorway service areas and other roadside facilities on motorways and trunk roads. I expect to launch a public consultation this summer on the replacement of this circular with new guidance, with the aim of deregulating the policy provisions in this area. All Government Departments will be consulted prior to this launch.

Motorway Service Areas

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what motorway service area sites her Department owns.

Michael Penning: The Secretary of State for Transport owns the freeholds of the following motorway service area sites:
	Birch
	Birchanger
	Cherwell Valley
	Clacket Lane
	Corley
	Keele
	Knutsford
	Leicester Forest East
	Membury
	Newport Pagnell
	Norton Canes
	Northampton and Rothersthorpe
	Sandbach
	South Mimms
	Strensham
	Thurrock
	Toddington
	Trowell
	Warwick
	Watford Gap
	Woodall.
	The terms of the leasehold agreements grant the operators full control and responsibility for the operation of these sites.
	All other motorway service area sites in England are entirely privately owned and operated.

Piracy: Somalia

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new technologies are being used to protect UK ships from piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has examined ship protection technologies and shares that information with industry. There are a number of ship protection technologies available to shipping companies including, for example thermal imaging and water cannons. The use of such technologies is a decision for individual shipping companies.
	The Department for Transport recommends and promotes the adoption of the measures in Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy (BMP4).
	The Government have also changed their policy to allow the use of armed private security companies as an additional layer of protection where necessary and in December 2011 issued “Interim guidance to UK flagged shipping on the use of armed guards to defend against the threat of piracy in exceptional circumstances”.

Public Transport: Visual Impairment

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to increase the accessibility of public transport for blind and partially-sighted people.

Norman Baker: The Department is committed to ensuring equal, and safe, access to public transport for everyone, including for blind and partially-sighted people.
	The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 (as amended) and the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (as amended) contain a number of requirements to facilitate access for people with visual impairments. The Department continues to monitor progress to ensure the requirements are being met.
	Audio-visual passenger information systems are required on trains, but, on buses, this is not the case and the levels of provision vary. I have written to bus operators and manufacturers encouraging them to work in partnership with local authorities to increase the uptake of these systems.
	In addition, on 1 October 2010, we commenced provisions in the Equality Act 2010 that require the drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles to carry assistance dogs.

Traffic Commissioners: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the oral answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 112W, on traffic commissioners: Wales, what recent discussions she has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on establishing the post of a Welsh traffic commissioner.

Michael Penning: Neither the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), nor I have had any specific discussions with Ministers in the Welsh Government on this matter. The new senior traffic commissioner has not yet been appointed.

DEFENCE

Departmental Contracts

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the five highest value contracts let by his Department to (a) consultants, (b) legal and (c) media companies were in the last 18 months; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence's use of external consultants has been decreasing significantly and is in line with the guidance published by the Cabinet Office in May 2010 and September 2011. The highest value consultancy contracts over the period were as follows:
	
		
			 Contract Value (£ million) 
			 Cost Assurance and Analysis Services Development Programme 12 
		
	
	
		
			 Defence Infrastructure Organisation—Organisation and Change Management 5 
			 Future Defence Storage and Distribution Programme—External Assistance 1.3 
			 Future Submarines—Strategic Business Advice 1.1 
			 Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft—External Assistance 1.1 
		
	
	For legal services the MOD has framework contracts with seven firms, which came into effect on 10 January 2010. Information on the spend under these contracts over the last 18 months is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Most significant MOD marketing and advertising activity over the period requested until December 2011 was managed through the Government's Central Office of Information.
	The five highest such MOD media transactions were as follows:
	
		
			 Transaction name Third party costs (£ million) 
			 Army Regional marketing and PR service 2.1 
			 Army TV Buying 1.9 
			 Territorial Army TV Buying 1.3 
			 Army Customer Response Management 1.2 
			 Royal Navy Direct Recruiting Operations contract 0.9

Nuclear Submarines: Safety

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential (a) risk and (b) effects of a fire on a British submarine which lasts for 24 hours.

Peter Luff: The risks associated with fires on submarines are taken extremely seriously by the Ministry of Defence, including consideration of their potential effects. All Royal Navy submarines are required to hold a Certificate of Safety—Fire, which is issued by the Naval Authority when it has been demonstrated that fire risks have been reduced so far as is reasonably practicable. There is also an obligation to seek continual improvement both for in-service submarines and for new classes of submarine.
	Risks are reduced through a range of measures. This includes designing the submarine to prevent fires where possible by, for example, using non-flammable materials. In addition, fire-detection systems and both automatic and manual fire-fighting systems are fitted, which are intended to detect and extinguish fires as quickly as possible. Finally, all submariners complete rigorous fire training, followed by regular practice exercises, to enable them to act appropriately and effectively in an emergency situation.
	For submarines that are undergoing maintenance, further precautions are taken that supplement operational procedures and systems, or alternative arrangements are introduced when deeper maintenance is being carried out. This includes liaison with local fire and rescue services regarding the provision of external fire-fighting capability.
	As a result of the comprehensive procedures and systems that are in place, the likelihood of a submarine fire lasting for 24 hours is considered to be extremely remote.

Piracy

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of ensuring that the British fleet is able to combat piracy across the globe.

Nick Harvey: Since 2008, the Royal Navy has contributed to EU, NATO and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) counter piracy operations in several capacities—from the contribution of assets, to the provision of the Operational Headquarters and Operational Commander for the EU's Operation Atalanta. The Royal Navy maintains a constant presence, including at least one frigate or destroyer, in the region.
	There are no estimates of the costs arising for enabling ships for Counter Piracy operations as most of the capability required is standard fit to Royal Navy ships when on operational tasking.

Rescue Services: International Cooperation

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the Government received a request for assistance from a neighbouring state under section 3.1 of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue in each of the last five years; and which search and rescue assets provided assistance on each such occasion.

Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 November 2010, Official Report, columns 225-26W. From 14 November 2010 to 10 March 2012 the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre has had no direct requests for assistance from any neighbouring states.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's strategic priorities are for the summit on development in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Mitchell: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for International Development.
	The Tokyo development conference in July will be a key point for the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to agree a long-term partnership to ensure Afghanistan's stability and prosperity following security transition in 2014. In particular the UK Government are keen to see the international community make commitments to help Afghanistan meet its non-security needs in the decade after transition; and to see the Government of Afghanistan make credible commitments to deliver robust economic and governance reforms. The UK is working closely with the Government of Afghanistan and international partners to this end.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US Secretary of Defense since his statement on American forces ending their combat role in 2013.

William Hague: Both Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and the White House have confirmed US commitment to the transition strategy agreed at the NATO Lisbon Summit in 2010: international forces will gradually hand over responsibility to Afghan National Security Forces who will have full security responsibility in all provinces by the end of 2014. I have had no discussions with the US Defence Secretary on this issue.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that the Government's strategic priorities for the summit in Tokyo on development in Afghanistan should be debated by the House before the summit starts.

Andrew Mitchell: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for International Development.
	The Tokyo development conference in July will be a key point for the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to agree a long-term partnership to ensure Afghanistan's stability and prosperity following security transition in 2014. The issue of a debate in the House is of course a matter for the business managers.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with President Karzai on (a) reports of violence following the burning of copies of the Koran at a US airbase near Kabul and (b) the President's public statement on the violence.

William Hague: These events are deeply regrettable. I have not spoken directly with President Karzai following the incident at Bagram airbase, but the UK ambassador raised it with the President on 6 March and supported his call for calm. I welcome the International Security Assistance Force Commander General Allen's commitments to investigate thoroughly and to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on plans for the size of the (a) Afghan National Police and (b) Afghan National Army in 2014; and what assessment he has made of how likely it is that such targets can be met.

William Hague: We are making excellent progress on growing the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The ANSF reached their 2011 end-strength objective of 305,600 before the targeted date of October 2011 and are on track to achieve the October 2012 objective of 352.000. Firm decisions on the enduring strength of the Afghan security forces have not yet been agreed. However, discussions with the Afghan Government and international partners/International Security Assistance Force are at an advanced stage and we anticipate an announcement on the ANSF's enduring strength will be made in due course.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the size of the (a) Afghan National Police and (b) Afghan National Army.

William Hague: The Afghan National Army now stands at 184,000 and the Afghan National Police at 145,000. The ANSF's operational effectiveness continues to improve, allowing them increasingly to take the lead in many operations. UK and international partners continue to support the ANSF with operational training and mentoring.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan to hold Presidential elections in 2014.

William Hague: The 2014 presidential elections will present new challenges for the Afghan Government, including on security, with control transitioning to the Afghan Government. The UK is looking to support the UN Development Programme, to build further the capacity of the Independent Elections Commission. Officials in Kabul remain in support of efforts to strengthen and improve Afghanistan's electoral process.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the NATO Secretary-General on countries announcing unilaterally dates for withdrawal from Afghanistan.

William Hague: I have had no discussions with the NATO Secretary-General on countries unilaterally announcing dates for withdrawal from Afghanistan. There has been no change to the strategy agreed by ISAF nations in Lisbon in 2010: international forces will gradually hand over responsibility to Afghan National Security Forces who will have full security responsibility in all provinces by the end of 2014.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of a withdrawal of French forces from Afghanistan in (a) 2013 and (b) 2012.

William Hague: President Sarkozy has confirmed that 1.000 French troops will leave Afghanistan in 2012, with all French combat troops leaving Afghanistan by the end of 2013. The drawdown of further International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) needs to be done in a coherent and coordinated manner, in consultation with the Government of Afghanistan. The UK remains committed to the decisions and road map agreed at the Lisbon summit in November 2010.
	Transition is progressing well and, in line with this plan, ISAF will gradually hand over lead responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces until they take on full security responsibility in 2014. That process has been started and will be completed by the end of 2014. As the NATO Secretary-General has reiterated, the Lisbon goals “will remain the bedrock of our strategy” in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan.

William Hague: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's most recent Afghan Opium Survey, published in October 2011, reported that opium poppy cultivation rose nationally by 7% in 2011 compared to 2010. Cultivation fell by 3% in Helmand Province, the most prolific opium producing province in Afghanistan, which was the third successive annual decrease in cultivation there. The national increase in cultivation needs to be set in the context of a difficult economic backdrop, with opium prices that are at their highest for many years.
	Experience in other drug producing countries suggests that tackling the drugs trade takes time, and requires a long-term and comprehensive approach. The UK remains committed to supporting the Government of Afghanistan to achieve sustainable progress against the drugs trade through delivery of the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy.
	In addition, the UK is working with international and regional partners, in the Paris Pact and with countries along trafficking routes, to tackle both the drugs trade, the trade in precursor chemicals, targeting illegal financial flows and reducing demand in the region and worldwide.

Afghanistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for a standing meeting with his international counterparts on strategy in Afghanistan.

William Hague: In addition to regular discussions with counterparts to discuss strategy, there are three main international conferences on Afghanistan this year which UK Ministers plan to attend. The NATO/ISAF Chicago summit in May will focus on security elements of our enduring relationship with Afghanistan, the Kabul conference in June will take-forward regional co-operation and the Tokyo conference in July will concentrate on wider development issues.

Afghanistan: Pakistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

William Hague: I have met the US Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) on a number of occasions, including in Washington last week. I also discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a regular basis. The UK SRAP frequently discusses Afghanistan and Pakistan with his US counterpart, including during the US SRAP's recent visit to London on 23 February.

Afghanistan: Pakistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of times the US Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan has visited Pakistan since he came into post.

William Hague: This is a matter for the US and Pakistan. We understand that there are regular contacts between the officials of both countries.

Afghanistan: Pakistan

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the NATO document on links between the Taliban in Afghanistan and the security service of Pakistan.

William Hague: The NATO report is a compilation of Taliban detainee opinions and ideas, based on their comments while in detention. It is important that this context is understood and that conclusions are not drawn based solely on a selection of comments from detainees.
	Pakistan has a key role in the stabilisation of Afghanistan and in the improvement of regional security. We welcome the recent statement by Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani on 24 February supporting the Afghan-led peace process and calling on the Taliban to participate fully and positively.

Atlantic Ocean Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many commercial fishing licences were sold in (a) Ascension, (b) St Helena and (c) South Georgia in each of the last five years; and what the monetary value was of such licences.

Henry Bellingham: Details of commercial fishing licences sold by Ascension Island Government and the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands are set out as follows. No commercial fishing licences have been sold by the Government of St Helena.
	(a) Ascension Island
	No licenses were sold between 2007 and 2009.
	47 licenses were sold in 2010. The total monetary value of licenses sold in 2010 was £705,000.
	58 licenses were sold in 2011. The total monetary value of licenses sold in 2011 was £946,500.
	22 licenses have so far been sold in 2012. The total monetary value of licenses sold to date in 2012 is £363,000.
	( c ) South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
	19 licenses were sold in 2007. The total monetary value of licenses sold in 2007 was £3,775,135.
	25 licenses were sold in 2008. The total monetary value of licenses sold in 2008 was £4,190,701.
	24 licenses were sold in 2009. The total monetary value licenses sold in 2009 was £3,965,051.
	18 licenses were sold in 2010. The total monetary value of licenses sold in 2010 was £3,179,000.
	18 licenses were sold in 2011. The total monetary value of licenses sold in 2011 was £2,935,742.
	Nine licenses have been allocated to date in 2012 but details of the financial value have vet to be determined.

Bahrain

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress made by the Government of Bahrain in implementing the findings of the Independent Commission into violence in that country in February and March 2011.

William Hague: We welcome the progress being made by the Bahraini Government in implementing reforms based on the recommendations of the Independent Commission of Inquiry.
	As I said in my statement on publication of the report, some of the findings were deeply worrying and the report offers an important opportunity to rebuild trust and promote reform and reconciliation.
	Progress has been made and we encourage the Government to take positive steps to demonstrate national unity and to do more to effectively implement the reforms needed.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance his Department has provided for the training of Bahraini security forces in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and what estimate he has made of the level of such assistance provided.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not provided any training to the Bahraini security forces in 2010, 2011 or 2012.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on harassment of staff of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Bahrain; and what assessment he has made of the level of support that the Government provides to NGOs in Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: We are aware that some international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have experienced difficulties on entering Bahrain, and restrictions on the time they are allowed to visit. We encourage the Bahraini authorities to allow international NGOs free entry and access in the country, in the same spirit that they established and accepted the Independent Commission of Inquiry. It is important that the Bahraini Government work with international partners and are transparent in their efforts to implement reform.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Bahraini counterpart on UK assistance to the Bahraini security forces.

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have had several discussions with members of the Bahraini Government on how the UK can help the authorities on their path of reform, including reconciliation, judicial reform and strengthening Parliament. We had not had any formal discussions with the Bahrainis on the UK providing assistance to the security forces. As the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report highlighted, this is a sector that urgently needs reforming and we welcome the appointment of John Yates and John Timoney to help the Bahrainis to achieve this.

Burma

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account he is taking of the use of forced labour in Burma in his negotiations over the revision of the EU Common Decision on Burma.

Jeremy Browne: In recent months there has been significant progress made with regards to labour rights in Burma, not least the Labour Organisations Bill that came into force on 9 March which allows the free formation of workers organisations. However the use of forced labour, particularly in conflict areas, remains a serious concern.
	The International Labour Organisation and Burmese Government are planning to increase their level of co-operation and plan to put in place a comprehensive strategy that aims to tackle forced labour—both civilian and military—by 2015.
	This will involve setting up a joint working group with Burmese authorities to deepen co-operation on several issues, including forced recruitment, under-aged recruitment, human trafficking, forced child labour, forced labour in the private sector, use of conflict porters, and forced labour associated with land confiscation.
	The resolution of these issues forms part of a broader agenda of reconciliation with ethnic groups on which the UK expects the Burmese authorities to have made progress before we can consider lifting EU restrictive measures. However, we are cautiously encouraged by the developments we are now seeing. We hope this process will continue to address what are extremely serious issues, and make a positive difference to the people of Burma. We shall stay in close contact with international bodies and local contacts to keep updated on how these policies are implemented.

Council of Europe

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps he has taken in support of the Secretary General's programme of reform through the Council of Europe since November 2011;
	(2)  what progress he has made on strengthening the rule of law through the Council of Europe since November 2011;
	(3)  what progress he has made on (a) internet governance and (b) freedom of expression on the internet through the Council of Europe since November 2011;
	(4)  what steps he has taken to streamline the Council of Europe's activities in support of local and regional democracy since November 2011.

David Lidington: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on these subjects to the hon. Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan) on 8 March 2012, Official Report columns 897-98W and 13 March 2012, Official Report, column 203W.

Internet

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to use multilateral and bilateral channels to discuss how to apply the framework of international human rights law in cyberspace and new challenges in guaranteeing such rights;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to fulfil the Government's undertaking to promote fundamental freedoms and rights in cyberspace.

Jeremy Browne: The UK Government are committed to promoting fundamental freedoms and rights in cyberspace and believe that the existing framework of international human rights law is, in principle, as applicable online as it is offline. We are committed to furthering this debate internationally through multilateral and bilateral discussions, as well as through wider multi-stakeholder engagement.
	The UK Government have actively participated in a wide range of international events to discuss human rights in cyberspace. This has included the attendance by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, my hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr Vaizey), at the Council of Europe/Austrian internet freedom conference in October 2011. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), initiated an interactive panel discussion on freedom of expression on the internet during the London Conference on Cyberspace in November 2011. The UK attended the Dutch Ministerial Conference on internet freedoms in December 2011 and also participated in the Swedish-inspired panel discussion on freedom of expression in the margins of the Human Rights Council in March 2012.
	The UK has joined a coalition of like-minded states who will work together to promote and protect online freedoms. We welcomed the adoption of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommendation on internet policy-making principles in December 2011 and are actively supporting the Council of Europe, as part of our chairmanship, in their efforts to advance the protection and respect for human rights on the internet.
	We also encourage states that restrict freedoms online to uphold their international human rights commitments. We lobby governments for change on the ground, including by raising individual cases and publicly supporting those who seek to exercise their rights.

Iran

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the UK economy of the Iranian Government’s decision to stop exporting oil to Europe.

William Hague: The Iranian Government has said that it will no longer export oil to the UK and France, and threatened to cut off oil supplies to other EU member states. The effect on the UK and France of this step is insignificant, because the UK and France obtain less than 1% and less than 3% respectively of their total oil needs from Iran.
	The EU as a whole decided on 23 January to impose a ban on imports of Iranian oil, to take effect on 1 July. EU member states are currently arranging alternative supplies to those they receive from Iran.

Iran

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the recent Iranian elections on the prospects for a resolution to the Iranian nuclear situation.

William Hague: As I said in a statement on 2 March, the day of the Iranian parliamentary elections, it was clear some time before polling day that the elections would not be free and fair. This was an exercise dominated by regime hard liners to prevent any radical change of direction in Iranian politics. Nevertheless, the agreement of the members of the E3 plus 3—comprising the UK, US, Russia, China, France and Germany—to offer a new round of talks with Iran on the nuclear issue represents an opportunity for Iran to engage seriously with the international community. I call on the Iranian Government to seize this opportunity.

Iran

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the recent Iranian elections on Iran’s foreign policy.

William Hague: As I said in a statement on 2 March, the day of the Iranian parliamentary elections, it was clear some time before polling day that the elections would not be free and fair. This was an exercise conducted largely among regime hard liners, designed to prevent any radical change of direction in Iranian politics. There has been no improvement in the regime’s current foreign policy, therefore we remain deeply concerned about Iranian intentions in a number of areas of its foreign policy, above all on the nuclear issue, and call on Iran to engage seriously with the international community.

Iran

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the extent and nature of the Iranian Government’s support for the Government of Syria.

William Hague: Iran’s complicity in the Assad regime’s brutal suppression of the Syrian people is well-documented. It includes provision of riot control equipment and technical advice from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on how to quash dissent, as well as support for the Syrian regime’s intelligence gathering capabilities and help to monitor protestors’ use of the internet and mobile phones. We have made it clear that such support is unacceptable and must stop. It is in stark contrast to the will of the Syrian people and a reminder of Iran’s blatant hypocrisy in claiming to support freedom in the Arab world.

Iran

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on military action to prevent Iran (a) possessing a nuclear weapon and (b) developing the capacity to develop a nuclear weapon.

William Hague: As I outlined to the House on 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 651, we are not calling for, or advocating, military action against Iran. We want a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, which we are trying to achieve through a combination of pressure, in the form of robust sanctions, and engagement led by E3+3 (made up of the UK, US, Frances, Germany, China and Russia). However, we have also made it clear that all options should be kept on the table.

Iran

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on sanctions against Iran; what reports he has received on the effect of sanctions on the Government of Iran's capacity to develop a nuclear weapon; and whether he plans to change his policy on sanctions.

William Hague: The Government wish to see a negotiated diplomatic settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue by which Iran gives the world confidence that it is not developing, and will not develop, nuclear weapons. The Government's strategy to achieve this has two elements: first, diplomacy and engagement with Iran; and, secondly, pressure on Iran in the form of peaceful and legitimate sanctions.
	Sanctions are designed to show the Iranian Government that there is a considerable price attached to their current policies and to urge them to change course. The sanctions have a practical impact, slowing Iran's progress towards a nuclear weapons capability.
	Sanctions are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. The goal is a return to negotiations that addresses all the issues of concern about Iran's nuclear programme and the successful conclusion of those negotiations.

Iraq

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of Iraq on the arrest warrant for Tariq al-Hashemi.

William Hague: I have had no discussions with the Prime Minister of Iraq on the subject of the arrest warrant or allegations made against Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi. We are not able to comment on the substance of the allegations which are properly for the Iraqi courts to address. Our expectation, and that of our EU and international colleagues, is that any judicial process must be transparent and be in accordance with Iraqi law and the Constitution.
	We remain concerned about the fragile security situation in Iraq and note with sadness recent terrorist attacks in that country. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), condemned the attacks on Shia pilgrims in January and the more recent attacks on Iraqi security forces. We look to Iraq's political leaders to ensure the political process delivers real improvements in security for all of Iraq's people, and to bring the perpetrators of terrorist attacks to justice.

Iraq

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on Iraq's judicial panel accusations against Tariq al-Hashemi on attacks on security officials and Shia pilgrims.

William Hague: I have had no discussions with the Prime Minister of Iraq on the subject of the arrest warrant or allegations made against Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi. We are not able to comment on the substance of the allegations which are properly for the Iraqi courts to address. Our expectation, and that of our EU and international colleagues, is that any judicial process must be transparent and be in accordance with Iraqi law and the Constitution.

Iraq

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) political situation in Iraq and (b) likelihood of continuing conflict between Shia and Sunni political groups.

William Hague: We remain concerned about the political situation in Iraq, against the background of allegations of involvement in terrorism against Vice President Tareq Al-Hashemi and tensions between Prime Minister Al-Maliki and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Al-Mutlaq. We support the aims of the initiative by President Talabani to convene a dialogue among all blocs to resolve their political differences. We welcome the return to government and parliament by members of the Iraqiyya bloc, and urge political leaders representing all Iraq's communities to unite to deliver solutions to the many urgent and pressing issues faced by all Iraqis.

Iraq

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the withdrawal of US troops in December on levels of violence in Iraq.

William Hague: It is difficult to say what the overall impact of US military withdrawal will be on the security situation in Iraq. Iraq continues to experience high levels of violence; most recently 22 co-ordinated bomb attacks on 23 February. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), condemned the attacks, calling on Iraq's political leaders to unite to ensure political progress delivers real improvements in security for all of Iraq's people, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
	Recent political unrest may also be linked to heightened divisions across Iraq in recent months. We also continue to support the Iraqi Government in its tight against terrorism, including through the training of Iraqi police and security forces, and strengthening the rule of law.

Israel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of nuclear weapons possessed by Israel.

Alistair Burt: We have regular discussions with the Government of Israel on a wide range of nuclear-related issues. Israel has not declared a nuclear weapons programme. We consistently encourage Israel, as a non-signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to sign up to the NPT and call on them to agree a full scope Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Libya

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether all international and bilateral British sanctions against (a) Libya and (b) Libyan state institutions have been lifted.

William Hague: The UN and EU implemented sanctions establishing an arms embargo as well as an asset freeze and travel ban on a number of entities and individuals during the Libya conflict.
	The UN has amended the arms embargo to allow support to the new Libyan Government. The UK led the way in working with the Libyan authorities to determine which key Libyan state institutions to remove from sanctions, most notably the Central Bank of Libya which was delisted by the UN Sanctions Committee in December 2011. At present some Libyan entities remain subject to EU and UN sanctions. Travel bans also remain in force against certain members of the Gaddafi regime at Libya's request.
	The UK will continue to be guided by the Libyan authorities in lifting remaining sanctions.
	There are no bilateral British sanctions in place against either Libya or any Libyan state institutions.

Libya

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely (a) motives and (b) perpetrators of attacks on graves in the Benghazi British Military Cemetery and Benghazi War Cemetery.

William Hague: These attacks appear to have been carried out by extremist individuals whose motives are unknown. Other religious sites have also been attacked, including Islamic sites. The Libyan Transitional Government, religious leaders and members of the public have all condemned the attacks and called for prosecutions of those responsible. Public demonstrations against the attacks have been taken place in Benghazi and Tripoli.

Libya

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on restoring graves in the Benghazi British Military Cemetery and Benghazi War Cemetery.

William Hague: Our ambassador in Tripoli discussed the attacks with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) as soon as we were made aware, of the damage. Officials in Libya and the UK have remained in close contact with CWGC and are offering all possible assistance. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has confirmed that restoring the damaged headstones to their original state is a top priority and it will begin work on this as soon as possible. In the interim, temporary grave markers will be placed on the damaged graves and the cemeteries will be tidied. We are working with the Commission to put together a full list of all the graves which have been damaged. A member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's staff from the UK will travel to Libya to make a formal inspection and begin the process of restoring the graves.

Libya

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the authorities in Libya on attacks on graves in the Benghazi British Military Cemetery and Benghazi War Cemetery.

William Hague: British embassy officials immediately visited the sites on 25 February and raised this issue with the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Benghazi Chief of Police, making clear our concern, the need to provide security to the sites and to conduct thorough investigations into the attacks. I discussed this with the Libyan Foreign Minister in New York on 12 March. Our ambassador also raised our concerns with the Deputy Foreign Minister, the Minister of Interior and the offices of National Transitional Council Chairman Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister al-Kib. In response to these incidents, Foreign Minister Khayyal and Chairman Abdul-Jalil made statements condemning the attacks, and the Transitional Government published a statement on 28 February, describing the damage as
	“unethical, irresponsible and criminal”
	and making clear that the Libyan Government
	“severely denounces such shameful acts and vows to find and prosecute the perpetrators according to Libyan Law”.
	The Libyan authorities have instructed the police to make regular patrols and station police outside the cemeteries to ensure no further attacks occur. We will continue to reiterate to the Libyan authorities the importance of a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Libya

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civilians were killed during the conflict in Libya in 2011.

William Hague: The Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) estimated in September 2011 that up to 30,000 people, including both civilians and armed combatants, may have been killed in the conflict as a result of the actions of the Gaddafi regime. However there has been no independent verification of this figure or systematic assessment of the number of civilian casualties during the conflict.

Libya

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress made by the Libyan Transitional National Council on (a) protecting the rights of women in Libya and (b) passing laws to provide a legal basis for such protection.

William Hague: The National Transitional Council (NTC) has confirmed its commitment to the protection of the rights of women in its Draft Constitutional Declaration in which it states: “All Libyans are equal before the law...and are not discriminated against because of... gender”. NTC Chairman Abdul-Jalil and Prime Minister al-Kib attended the first Women's Conference held in Tripoli in November, which was co-funded by the UK. Abdul-Jalil asked those women present to suggest to the NTC any laws they thought violate women's rights and need changing. We expect that further reforms to the legislative framework to ensure discrimination against women is removed will be a central question for the constitutional process which follows elections to the National Congress, scheduled for June 2012.
	The inclusion of two female Ministers and three female Deputy Ministers in the Transitional Government are encouraging. The Election Law, which was finalised on 7 February, includes a mechanism which requires parties to list their candidates alternately by gender, which should allow for at least 10-15% of seats to go to women.

Libya

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of recent efforts by the Libyan authorities to bring under control various armed rebel groups operating in Libya.

William Hague: The Libyan Transitional Government (TG) understands fully the importance of bringing armed groups under central control. There are encouraging signs that progress is now being made. The TG has drawn up plans to integrate many of these fighters into the police and Libyan armed forces. A large scale registration process of militia members began in January with the first salaries paid in February. Disarming and reintegrating all the militia groups in Libya is a considerable challenge for the TG, and much work remains if their plans are to be successfully implemented. We continue to emphasise to the TG the importance of strong cross-government coordination of the reintegration process, a clear long term plan, and the willingness of the UN and of other bilateral partners including the UK to provide support where required.

Mckinsey and Company

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department paid to McKinsey and Company in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made no payments to McKinsey in financial year 2010-11 or 2011-12.

NATO

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's strategic priorities are for the NATO summit in Chicago; and if he will make a statement.

William Hague: The NATO Chicago summit will provide an important marker for NATO progress in implementing the Strategic Concept adopted at the 2010 Lisbon summit. UK strategic priorities include:
	agreeing with our NATO allies and partners the shape of long-term partnership activities, in Afghanistan, once the transition of security is complete and combat troops are withdrawn post 2014.
	agreement on NATO's ‘Smart Defence’ approach, focusing on more efficient delivery and co-ordination of capabilities over the longer term.
	engaging partners, and in particular key operational partners, more effectively—including Arab states.
	achievement of interim capability for NATO's territorial Missile Defence mission.

NATO

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that the Government's strategic priorities for the NATO summit in Chicago should be debated by the House before the summit starts.

William Hague: The NATO Chicago summit will take place on 20-21 May. It will provide an important marker for NATO progress in implementing the strategic concept adopted at the 2010 Lisbon summit. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence and I will be attending.
	The Government will keep the House updated on the summit and its outcomes. Hon. and right hon. Members will also have opportunities to raise these issues and question Ministers at oral questions.

NATO

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times he has spoken to the NATO Secretary-General in the last six months; and on what dates each such discussion took place.

William Hague: The NATO Secretary-General and I last met at the NATO Foreign Ministerial meeting in Brussels on 7-8 December 2011.

Nigeria

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral statement of 13 March 2012, Official Report, columns 141-3, on the hostage rescue operation (Nigeria), if he will state the time at which the British Ambassador informed the Italian authorities that an operation was underway.

Alistair Burt: Our ambassador in Italy advised Prime Minister Monti's office at 1030 GMT on 8 March that a hostage rescue operation had been authorised and was imminent.'

Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of contracts issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for which he is responsible were rewarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Lidington: For the period April to December 2011, 20% of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) procurement was awarded to businesses that we can classify as small and medium enterprises (SME). The FCO's agencies do not hold records distinguishing SME suppliers but the FCO works to ensure there is no barrier for SME organisations wishing to compete for their contracts.

Russia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the extent to which the recent presidential elections in Russia were carried out in a manner that was free and fair.

William Hague: The election monitors deployed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights provide the most reliable assessment of the conduct of the Russian presidential elections. As I made clear in my statement of 6 March 2012, while their preliminary report gave a positive assessment of voting on election day, it identifies problems with counting at some polling stations, unequal campaign conditions, and limitations on voter choice. A Russia with greater political freedoms, including the registration of political parties, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the media is in the interests of Russians and of the wider world. All allegations of electoral violations should now be thoroughly investigated.

Somalia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many human rights monitors are operating in Somalia; and what plans there are to increase this number.

William Hague: There are currently seven members of staff from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Somalia, attached to the UN Political Office for Somalia. The international community agreed at the London conference to work with the Somali authorities to help them meet their international obligations on human rights and tackle impunity. We would expect that effort to include rigorous human rights monitoring and reporting by the UN, alongside technical assistance and capacity building.

Somalia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect Kenyan and Ethiopian troops in Somalia have had on the security situation in that country.

William Hague: Kenyan and Ethiopian troops are deployed in Somalia in support of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Military action has provided greater peace and stability in areas where progress has been made; suitable governance arrangements now need to be agreed to provide long-term stability. This is important as we approach the end of the transition in August and look for broader representation of Somali society in the political process.

Somalia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of (a) Kenya and (b) Ethiopia on the nature, role and conduct of troops from that country in Somalia.

William Hague: We have repeatedly raised with both the Kenya and Ethiopia Governments their responsibility to ensure that the nature, role and conduct of their troops are fully compliant with international law. We will continue to do so.

Somalia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure foreign troops operating in Somalia abide by international law.

William Hague: We continue to encourage all troops operating in Somalia to comply fully with international law. We have been working with the African Union Mission in Somalia to reduce the risk of civilian casualties, the numbers of which are now falling. We have also repeatedly urged the Ethiopian and Kenyan authorities to ensure that their action in Somalia complies with international law and ensures the protection of civilians.

Somalia

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to report on the progress made on delivering the goals agreed at the London conference on Somalia.

William Hague: We are working with international partners to ensure delivery of the agreements made at the London conference. The Istanbul conference in June will provide an opportunity to review progress and agree next steps, particularly ahead of the end of the transition in August.
	I will update the House on progress ahead of the summer recess.

Sudan

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the Sudan conference due to be held in March was cancelled.

Henry Bellingham: The Government of Sudan has informed us that the Istanbul conference has been postponed at their request. We look forward to taking part in the conference when it is re-scheduled.

Sudan

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government plans to support a programme of debt relief for Sudan; and if he will ensure that any such economic assistance is accompanied by reform and the protection of human rights.

Henry Bellingham: Britain has played a leading role in international work towards debt relief for Sudan. But. with other participants in the multilateral debt process, we have been clear that this is subject to political circumstances including progress towards inclusive peace and justice in Darfur and resolution of outstanding issues from the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Sudan

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the bombings of citizens in Darfur and the border with south Sudan; what representations he is making to the Sudanese government; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: We are deeply concerned by reports of bombing, close to and across the border between Sudan and South Sudan. We call for the speedy implementation of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism which will help to address this issue. We have received no recent reports of bombing in Darfur, but we remain concerned by fighting between Sudanese armed forces and armed rebel groups.
	Ministers and officials raise these concerns in all contacts with the Government of Sudan. I did so at the African Union summit in January with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti. The Under-Secretary of State for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien), raised the issue during a visit to Sudan in February. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), issued a statement on 2 March regarding the build up of forces along the border with South Sudan and called for a calming of tensions.

Sudan

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the International Criminal Court on the issuing of arrest warrants for President Al Bashir of Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: Britain strongly supports the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) including its investigation in Darfur, in line with UNSCR 1593 of 2005. We regularly discuss the outstanding warrants for President Bashir, and the other Sudanese ICC indictees, with the ICC.

Sudan: South Sudan

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the peace agreement between Sudan and south Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: We welcome news that the two Governments initialled agreements on citizenship and borders on 13 March, and commend the African Union (AU) High-Level Implementation Panel's role in facilitating the process. We encourage both Presidents to sign these agreements as soon as possible and to build on this momentum to settle all their remaining differences from the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including on oil and Abyei, and to make full use of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel mediation.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is providing to the Syrian National Council.

William Hague: We are working with a range of opposition groups, including the Syrian National Council.
	We continue to encourage Syrian opposition groups to develop a united, peaceful vision for the future of their country. We have also emphasised, for example at the recent Friends of Syria meeting, the importance of an inclusive process that meets the legitimate demands of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious background.
	We do not provide equipment or support for any element of the Syrian opposition which is not in line with EU sanctions and our own export regulations. The practical support that we have offered has concentrated on assisting Syrian human rights activists to record, collate and speak out on human rights violations conducted by the regime, so that the perpetrators can be held to account.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to maintain diplomatic pressure on the government of Syria following the closure of the UK embassy in Damascus.

William Hague: Although we have withdrawn our staff and suspended embassy operations in Damascus, we continue to maintain diplomatic pressure on the Government of Syria.
	We are pressing for action in the Security Council, and working to secure a resolution which calls for impartial, unfettered humanitarian access, a political solution, and an end to the violence.
	We have welcomed the appointment of Kofi Annan as the UN/AL Joint Special Envoy. We have offered Mr Annan and his team our full support.
	We continue to support the Arab League, which has shown an unprecedented leadership on the issue of Syria, and as a member of the Friends of Syria we are part of a wide group of more than 60 nations calling for an end to violence; increased political and economic pressure on the regime; greater support for the opposition; co-ordinated humanitarian support on the ground; and an end to impunity for crimes against humanity committed by the Syrian regime.
	The UK has been at the forefront of delivering 12 rounds of EU sanctions, subjecting a total of 114 individuals and 39 entities to asset freezes and travel bans. These sanctions are targeted against those supporting, or benefitting from the regime, and those associated with them. We will continue to work closely with our international partners in considering new ways to increase the economic and political pressure on the Assad regime.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent to which countries bordering Syria are upholding sanctions against Syria.

William Hague: We welcome the measures Turkey and the Arab League announced against the Syrian regime on 30 November and 3 December respectively, including travel bans and asset freezes against individuals in the Syrian regime, an arms embargo and suspension of links with the Central Bank of Syria. Arab League measures are non legally binding and so it is up to individual countries to decide how to implement them. We have lobbied Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan to implement fully the restrictive measures announced by the Arab League.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the effective implementation of the existing sanctions regime on Syria by (a) its neighbouring and (b) other countries.

William Hague: We welcome the measures Turkey and the Arab League announced against the Syrian regime on 30 November and 3 December respectively, including travel bans and asset freezes against individuals in the Syrian regime, an arms embargo and suspension of links with the Central Bank of Syria. Arab League measures are non legally binding and so it is up to individual countries to decide how to implement them. We have lobbied Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan to implement fully the restrictive measures announced by the Arab League.
	We have additionally lobbied our international partners, including countries outside the region, to take all necessary steps to ensure the effective implementation of sanctions announced on the Syrian regime. We want to cut off the flow of funding and arms to the Syrian regime. In light of the EU ban on imports of Syrian oil, we have lobbied international partners not to purchase Syrian oil. We have raised with Russia at ministerial level our deep concerns over the supply of weapons to the Syrian regime by Russia.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the readiness of the Syrian National Council to govern Syria in the event that the government of Syria ceases to hold power.

William Hague: The UK is intensifying its support to the political opposition including, but not exclusively, the Syrian National Council to help them develop and set out their vision for Syria's future. We are encouraging them to work together under the auspices of the Arab League to deliver a credible plan for an orderly transition to a different type of political system. We want to see an end to the violence and a peaceful transition. Syrian opposition groups are making progress towards delivering a coherent and credible transition strategy that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, and wins their support. Burhan Ghalioun made clear at the Friends of Syria meeting in Tunis on 24 February that the SNC was working towards equal rights for all, reaching out to Christians, Kurds and Allawites when he said:
	“one country, for one people, celebrating diversity and protecting all interests”.
	This is despite the level of repression, intimidation and violence directed against them and their family members by an increasingly desperate Assad regime.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Government of Turkey is upholding sanctions against Syria; and what reports he has received on breaches of the sanctions regime by the Government of Turkey.

William Hague: We welcome the announcement by Turkey of the bilateral measures it has implemented against Syria to increase the economic and political pressure on Assad. We are encouraging our international partners to impose robust and tough restrictive measures on Assad's regime, to increase the economic and political pressure on those individuals responsible for the violence against civilians in Syria. Where there is evidence of sanctions breaches, we raise our concerns and we continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure sanctions are upheld.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to secure a UN Security Council resolution on the humanitarian situation in Syria.

William Hague: On 12 March I chaired a UNSC debate on the middle east and Arab Spring where I called for urgent, essential Security Council action to stem the bloodshed in Syria, for it to call for an immediate end to the brutal repression and violations of human rights and demand immediate and unhindered humanitarian access. Discussions are continuing in New York. We believe that the UN needs to address the humanitarian imperative and are working to secure a resolution which calls for impartial, unfettered humanitarian access, and for an end to the violence. The resolution should also voice support for the Kofi Annan's work to lead Arab League/UN facilitation of a Syrian-led political transition.
	We continue to look for ways to work with Russia and China to end the violence and bloodshed. Ministers and officials speak regularly to their counterparts in Moscow and Beijing. The Prime Minister discussed Syria on 5 March with President-elect Putin and I discussed action in the UN Security Council with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on 2 March, urging that the Security Council should speak with one voice on Syria.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of Russia and China's opposition to a UN Security Council resolution on the humanitarian situation in Syria on the likelihood of securing such a resolution.

William Hague: We continue to press for agreement on a Security Council resolution which calls for an end to the violence, condemns the human rights violations, calls for humanitarian access, and supports the UN/Arab League facilitation of a Syrian-led political transition. Our efforts to date have been frustrated by Russia and China. Meanwhile violence continues, and access for the humanitarian agencies, who are ready to deliver vital assistance to those affected, continues to be denied.
	We continue to look for ways to work with Russia and China to end the violence and bloodshed. The Prime Minister discussed Syria on 5 March with President-elect Putin and I discussed action in the UN Security Council with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on 2 March, urging that the Security Council should speak with one voice on Syria.
	Discussions are continuing in New York.

Syria

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of statements made by the Russian Government on support for terrorism in Syria by Saudi Arabia.

David Lidington: The Government of Saudi Arabia along with other Gulf States has expressed support for the Syrian opposition in light of the escalating violence. Saudi Arabia is playing a constructive role within the international community in seeking a solution to the crisis in Syria. The position of the UK Government are clear with regard to arming the Syrian opposition: we have repeatedly said that we will not provide equipment or support for any element of the Syrian opposition that does not comply with EU sanctions and our own export regulations.

Uganda

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the Invisible Children campaign on Joseph Kony; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: We have received representations from Members of parliament and the public about the Invisible Children campaign.
	The British Government condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocities carried out by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Although much reduced in numbers, it remains an unprincipled and violent threat to civilians and regional security. Britain is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and reminds all states of their obligations to co-operate with the Court: in particular on the issue of enforcement of the Court's arrest warrant. Those currently fugitive from the ICC, such as Kony, must be reminded that they will face justice.
	Britain is an active member of the International Working Group on the LRA, and has the lead in the UN Security Council on LRA matters. We have used these positions to urge the UN missions in the region to co-ordinate better the international response to the LRA. This includes the production of a regional UN LRA strategy and the closer co-ordination of UN and African Union efforts. This has promoted dialogue among Central African states and their international partners on the best way to tackle the LRA, protect populations affected by their actions and bring Kony to justice.

Uganda

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Prime Minister has received on the arrest of Joseph Kony on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 12 March 2012, Official Report, column 67W.

Yemen

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the outcome of the presidential elections in Yemen on efforts to tackle al-Qaeda in that country.

William Hague: I am encouraged by President Hadi's commitment to continue the fight against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), expressed in his inauguration speech on 25 February. In a meeting on 5 March in Yemen with the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), President Hadi affirmed that the removal from Yemen of AQAP was a priority.
	The need for robust action against violent extremism is clear following recent events in Yemen, namely the suicide attack in Al-Mukalla and the recent attack on a Yemeni army post outside Zinjibar. I am saddened by the heavy loss of life, but confident that the new government and its armed forces have the will and capability to tackle this threat. The British Government, along with our international partners, remain committed to supporting Yemen to become a stable state, free from the threat of international terrorism.

Yemen

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi of Yemen.

William Hague: I publicly welcomed President Hadi’s inauguration on 25 February. We met during my visit to Yemen in February 2011 and I look forward to providing him and his government with our full support as he seeks to complete transition in Yemen. The Prime Minister wrote to congratulate President Hadi on 2 March.
	On 5 March, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), travelled to Yemen and congratulated President Hadi in person on his election. He emphasised the UK’s commitment to assisting Yemen through its transition and our intention to remain a close partner to Yemen. The forthcoming Friends of Yemen ministerial was discussed and its aims to support Yemeni plans for change over the next two years.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Average Earnings: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average household income of households with at least one person of working age was in (a) the City of York, (b) York and North Yorkshire and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: We use households below average income data to provide estimates of average household incomes. However, the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide estimates for small areas such as the City of York or York and North Yorkshire. Figures for Yorkshire and the Humber are available as a three-year average.
	The following table shows the median equivalised disposable household income for households with at least one person of working age for the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, before and after housing costs for the periods 2005-06 to 2007-08 to 2007-08 to 2009-10.
	
		
			 Table 1: Median equivalised disposable weekly household income for households with at least one person of working age for the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, before and after housing costs for the periods 2005-06  to  2007-08 to 2007- 08 to  2009-10 
			  Median equivalised weekly disposable household income for families (£ per week, 2009-10 prices) 
			 Income Type 2005- 06 to  2007-08 2006-07  to  2008-09 2007- 08 to  2009-10 
			 Before Housing Costs 410 405 399 
		
	
	
		
			 After Housing Costs 366 356 347 
			 Notes: 1. These statistics are based on households below average income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. Net disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax, payments, national insurance contributions, council tax/domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes. 3. Figures have been presented on a before housing cost and an after housing cost basis. For before housing costs, housing costs are not deducted from income, while for after housing costs they are. 4. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 5. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year. For countries and regions within the UK, three survey years have been combined because single year estimates are not considered to be sufficiently reliable. 6. Weekly incomes are presented in 2009-10 prices and have been rounded to the nearest pound. Source: Households Below Average Income (HBAI), 2005-06 to 2009-10

Cold Weather Payments

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency and (b) South Lanarkshire received a cold weather payment in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011.

Steve Webb: The weather station associated with the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency over the past last three years is Bishopton. The number of benefit units we estimate to have had a payment in the area covered by the weather station is in the following table. Note that Bishopton is linked to postcodes in 23 parliamentary constituencies.
	
		
			 Table 1: Estimated number of benefit units that received at least one cold weather payment for weather stations linked to postcode districts in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency 
			 Weather station Bishopton 
			  Number 
			 2008-09 205,300 
			 2009-10 200,500 
			 2010-11 199,200 
			 2011-12 0 
			 Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National Statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, figures given are estimates. Actuals are not available. Estimates for 2011-12 may be revised after the end of the cold weather payment season, but will still be estimates not actuals. 2. A cold weather payment is made to an eligible customer when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0° C or below over seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to the customer's postcode. (When the temperature criterion is met, the weather station is said to trigger.) 3. The Bishopton weather station is linked both to an area within the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, and also to an area outside of the constituency. Estimated numbers given are for the weather station as a whole, not for the part of the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency linked to the weather station. 4. Cold weather payments are made to benefit units. A benefit unit can be a single person or a couple and can include children. 5. Some benefit units received more than one payment in a year. 6. Estimated numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100. Sources: 1. Postcode district to weather station links: Department for Work and Pensions records 2. Records of triggers and estimates of potential qualifiers by weather station: Department for Work and Pensions record 
		
	
	We do not hold cold weather payments data by local authority, so do not have data on the number of benefit units we estimate to have had a payment in the South Lanarkshire local authority.

Contracts for Services

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many proposals for offshoring he has received in relation to his Department's contracted services since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has received 175 proposals from its suppliers to offshore some elements of its contracted services since May 2010.
	The DWP has a mandatory policy that requires suppliers to seek formal approval from the Department before any contracted work is permitted to be off-shored. This formal approvals process requires suppliers to provide evidence that the proposal is financially beneficial for the Department and the taxpayer; and meets stringent security standards, including those set by Cabinet Office and the Government's Communications Electronics Security Group in Cheltenham.

Disability Living Allowance

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency are in receipt of disability living allowance;
	(2)  how many people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency are in receipt of (a) the care component, (b) the mobility component and (c) both components of disability living allowance;
	(3)  how many people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency are in receipt of the (a) lower, (b) middle and (c) higher rate of the (i) care component and (ii) mobility component of disability living allowance.

Maria Miller: The information is contained in the following table:
	
		
			 Disability living allowance (DLA) recipients by care and mobility award type in Rutherglen and Hamilton West parliamentary constituency: May 2011 
			  Number 
			 All DLA recipients 9,030 
			 Highest rate care award 2,210 
			 Middle rate care award 3,230 
			 Lowest rate care award 2,370 
			 Nil rate(1) 1,220 
			 Higher rate mobility award 5,280 
			 Lower rate mobility award 2,810 
			 Nil rate(2) 940 
			 Total in receipt of both care and mobility award 6,870 
			 (1) Represents people in receipt of the mobility component and not the care component. (2) Represents claimants in receipt of the care component and not the mobility component. Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 3. DLA care and mobility components can be paid together or on their own. 4. These figures are published on the Departments Tabulation Tool at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/dla/tabtool_dla.html Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate, 100%WPLS.

Employment and Support Allowance

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the work-related activity obligations of those in the employment and support allowance work-related activity group; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants who have been assessed as capable of work-related activity are required to undertake certain activities as a condition of continued entitlement to the full amount of allowance payable to them. Attending work-focused interviews enables the claimant to meet with a personal adviser to discuss the support available to help him or her to take steps towards being able to gain employment in the future. Advisers have the flexibility to decide if a work related activity requirement applies at a particular time or not.
	Claimants placed in this group can also be required to do work-related activity where this is appropriate to their personal circumstances. Work related activity does not include applying for or doing a job or undergoing medical treatment. Work-related activity encompasses work preparation measures such as attending a training course or updating the claimant's CV.

Employment and Support Allowance

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what savings to the public purse have been achieved from the reform of the employment and support allowance since May 2010; and what savings are projected in each of the next five years.

Chris Grayling: Over the period of interest, the main changes to employment and support allowance (ESA), which were enacted with the Welfare Reform Act 2012, are:
	1. time-limiting contributory ESA for those in the work-related activity group; and
	2. abolition of the ESA ‘youth’ provisions.
	Latest information on projected savings for these measures is published on the HM Treasury website within tables 2.1 and 2.2 of the Budget 2011 documents.
	The website can be accessed at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_documents.htm

Employment and Support Allowance

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in (a) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency and (b) South Lanarkshire are in receipt of employment and support allowance;
	(2)  how many people in (a) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, (b) South Lanarkshire and (c) Scotland are in the employment and support allowance (i) support group and (ii) work-related activity group.

Chris Grayling: The information requested as at May 2011 is provided in the following table :
	
		
			   Phase of ESA claim 
			  All ESA recipients Work related activity group Support group 
			 Scotland 63,470 18,580 8,550 
			 South Lanarkshire local authority 3,830 1,030 630 
			 Rutherglen and Hamilton West parliamentary constituency 1,490 410 210 
			 Note: The data are also published on the Department's website at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool

Employment and Support Allowance

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, (b) South Lanarkshire and (c) Scotland will no longer receive contributory employment and support allowance from 1 May 2012 as a result of changes proposed in the Welfare Reform Bill.

Chris Grayling: Estimates of the number affected by time limiting contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) for those in the work-related activity group have been made at a Great Britain level and breakdowns for particular groups or geographical areas are not available.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many cases benefit sanctions were applied to benefit claimants relating to their conduct while participating in the work experience programme in (a) the UK, (b) Lambeth local authority and (c) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: Work experience offers young unemployed people between the ages of 18 and 24 years the opportunity to develop work-related disciplines with host employers as a way of helping them into sustained work.
	The following jobseeker's allowance sanctions were applied to benefit claimants for failing to participate in work experience from January 2011 to October 2011 (this includes any sanctions applied to benefit claimants relating to their conduct while participating in work experience):
	(a) 220 in Great Britain;
	(b) fewer than five in Lambeth local authority; and
	(c) fewer than five in Streatham constituency.
	From January 2011 to November 2011, 34,200 people started a work placement. On 29 February 2012, the Government announced that sanctions would no longer apply except where the work experience participant was asked to leave by the host employer for reasons of gross misconduct, such as stealing or racial abuse.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) proportion and (b) number of those aged 18 to 24 who have participated in the Government’s Work Experience Programme have arranged their placements themselves; and what proportion of placements have been arranged through Jobcentre Plus in (i) the UK, (ii) Lambeth local authority and (iii) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not collect the information requested.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of those required to undertake mandatory work activity have done so in (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) other businesses in (i) the UK, (ii) Lambeth local authority and (iii) Streatham constituency;
	(2)  what proportion of those required to undertake mandatory work activity have done so with employers in (a) the retail sector, (b) STEM-related industries and (c) the creative industries in (i) the UK, (ii) Lambeth local authority and (iii) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not collect the information requested.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what number of those required to undertake mandatory work activity since May 2011 (a) have since entered employment and (b) are no longer claiming jobseeker's allowance in (i) the UK, (ii) Lambeth Local Authority and (iii) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	I have asked statisticians in the Department to look at publishing data for the Mandatory Work Activity scheme on those who leave benefits.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what number of those who have participated in the work experience programme (a) have since entered employment and (b) are no longer claiming jobseeker's allowance in (i) the UK, (ii) Lambeth local authority and (iii) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available.
	Statistics on work experience participant outcomes were published on 9 November 2011. These showed that 51% of the first 1,300 people who started in the programme in Great Britain in January-March 2011 were not in receipt of benefit 13 weeks later. At this stage the cohort is too small to be broken down by geographical area.
	I have asked statisticians in the Department to look at publishing further data for the work experience scheme on those who leave benefits.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) proportion and (b) number of those who have been required to undertake mandatory work activity have since gained employment with the organisations with which they undertook work experience in (i) the UK, (ii) Lambeth local authority and (iii) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not collect the information requested.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of those who have re-entered the workplace following a period claiming jobseeker's allowance have found employment with employers in (a) the retail sector, (b) science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related industries and (c) the creative industries (i) from 16 May 2011 to date and (ii) in the 12 months preceding 16 May 2011 in (A) the UK, (B) Lambeth Local Authority and (C) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: This information is not available. The Department for Work and Pensions does not systematically record job outcomes.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of those who have re-entered the workplace following a period claiming jobseeker's allowance have found employment (a) with small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) other businesses (i) from 16 May 2011 to date and (ii) in the 12 months preceding 16 May 2011 in (A) the UK, (B) Lambeth local authority and (C) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available. The Department for Work and Pensions does not systematically record job outcomes.

Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of those aged 18 to 24 who have re-entered the workplace following a period claiming jobseeker's allowance have found employment with employers in (a) the retail sector, (b) STEM-related industries and (c) the creative industries (i) from April 2011 to date and (ii) in the 12 months preceding April 2011 in (A) the UK, (B) Lambeth local authority and (C) Streatham constituency;
	(2)  what proportion of those who have re-entered the workplace following a period claiming jobseeker's allowance have found employment in the (a) voluntary sector and (b) private sector (i) from 16 May 2011 to date and (ii) in the 12 months preceding 16 May 2011 in (A) the UK, (B) Lambeth local authority and (C) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available. The Department for Work and Pensions does not systematically record job outcomes.

Employment Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish guidance allowing Work programme providers to publish performance data.

Chris Grayling: The Department is following guidance issued by the national statistician in order to comply with the code of practice for official statistics and to protect the integrity and accuracy of data; as such, we aim to publish official statistics on outcomes from autumn 2012.
	However, we propose to allow providers to publish data that does not compromise the official statistics and aim to issue guidance to providers by the end of April.

Employment Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will consider removing gagging clauses from subcontracts under the Work Programme; and if he will consider removing clauses which gag providers which have left the Programme.

Chris Grayling: There are standard clauses in all Work programme contracts designed to maintain commercial confidentiality and the reputation of the programme. These clauses form part of the terms and conditions which apply to both primes and their sub contractors.

Employment Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the reasons why no referrals to the Work Programme have been made by (a) Kidderminster Bull Ring, (b) Mansfield Stockwell Gate, (c) Nottingham Watercourt, (d) Stockport Millennium House, (e) Aberdeen Chapel and (f) Shawlands Jobcentre Plus offices.

Chris Grayling: Due to the recent estates rationalisation the majority of the named offices have closed but some are Contact Centres that do not make WP referrals.
	(a) Kidderminster—was a non-public facing office which has now closed.
	(b) Mansfield Stockwell Gate—was a limited service office conducting new claim appointments and closed in November 2011.
	(c) Nottingham Watercourt—was a limited service office conducting new claim appointments which closed to customers in October 2011. Since that date they have dealt with National Insurance Number allocation only.
	(d) Stockport Millennium House—Stockport Millennium House is a Contact Centre and this is why no Work Programme referrals are made from that site.
	(e) Aberdeen Chapel—only takes new claims. Aberdeen Ebury House makes WP referrals for Aberdeen.
	(f) Shawlands—office closed on 2 March 2012. Prior to this Shawlands did not have a live register and did not make referrals to the WP.

Employment Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the reasons why 50 or fewer referrals have been made to the Work programme by (a) Derby Becket Street, (b) Leicester Eldon Street, (c) Lincoln Crown House, (d) Hunstanton, (e) Mildenhall, (f) Leiston, (g) Berwick upon Tweed, (h) Grimsby Crown House, (i) Blackpool South, (j) Bacup, (k) Clitheroe, (l) Blairgowrie, (m) Fort William, (n) Portree, (o) Lerwick, (p) Fraserburgh, (q) Girvan, (r) Bordon, (s) Alton, (t) Bridport, (u) Machynlleth, (v) Pwllheli, (w) Porthmadog, (x)  Dolgellau and (y) Porthcawl Jobcentre Plus offices.

Chris Grayling: I have placed the reasons for low referral rates against each Jobcentre in the following list—the majority of sites do not deliver advisory services as these are provided from a centralised location elsewhere within the district. There are also some sites with very small registers that have the expected levels of referrals to the WP and they are confident that they have referred all eligible claimants.
	(a) Derby Becket Street—houses a centralised JSA lone parent adviser team which serves Derby city. Since 12 February they have taken on JSA Lone Parents claimants who are eligible and have started making appropriate referrals to the Work programme. Since February there have been approximately 10 referrals.
	(b) Leicester Eldon Street—all eligible claimants have been referred to the WP.
	(c) Lincoln Crown House—offers an advisory service to ESA claimants and the mandatory caseload is small. Referrals are within levels expected.
	(d) Hunstanton—a small flexible delivery site with a live JSA register of 220 and their referrals to Work programme are recorded against Kings Lynn which is their parent office.
	(e) Mildenhall—a small office with a live JSA register of 314 and have made 25 referrals to Work programme since January.
	(f) Leiston—a small office with a live JSA register of 243 and have made 33 referrals to Work programme since January.
	(g) Berwick upon Tweed—since August 2011 there have been 86 referrals to the Work programme from Berwick. Referral rates are in keeping with the buoyant labour market position for the area reflected in the JSA off-flow figures.
	(h) Grimsby Crown House—this is not a Jobcentre but a contact centre and would not make referrals to the WP.
	(i) Blackpool South—only takes new claims; all follow-up interviews/referrals to Work programme are made by the sister office in Blackpool North JCP.
	(j) Bacup—only carries out fortnightly job search interviews. All adviser interviews and Work programme referrals are all made at Rawtenstall JCP.
	(k) Clitheroe—There are only 40 eligible claimants on the register currently—made up of 15 18 to 24-year-olds (six month+ u/e) and 25 over 25-year-olds claiming for over 52 weeks. This is a small office with a register of just over 300. At the last count 58 referrals have been made—JSA referrals only as ESA referrals are dealt with at another office.
	(l) Blairgowrie, (m) Fort William, (n) Portree, (o) Lerwick, (p) Fraserburgh, (q) Girvan—Work programme referrals are low for these offices as they have low claimant counts and customers move into work prior to being referred to, or becoming eligible for the Work programme. Both Fraserburgh and Lerwick have buoyant labour markets and high levels of customers moving off benefit before they reach the Work programme stage—currently a high percentage have gone off benefit within 52 weeks. All customers are referred at the first opportunity as they become eligible. There are no backlogs of Work programme referrals in Girvan, Blairgowrie, Fort William, Portree, Lerwick or Fraserburgh.
	(r) Bordon, (s) Alton—(very small offices) have both referred to the Work programme but their performance is brigaded with that of Petersfield Jobcentre. The three sites are effectively run as one office.
	(t) Bridport—is a part-time office with a small register of 132 claimants with only five WP eligible claimants.
	(u) Machynlleth—all eligible claimants have been referred—a small register of 152 and 39 have been referred to WP.
	(v) Pwllheli—referred 64 claimants to WP from a small register of 307.
	(w) Porthmadog—referred 86 claimants to WP from a small register of 389.
	(x) Dolgellau—have referred 77 claimants to WP from a small register of 332.
	(y) Porthcawl - have referred 85 to WP from a small register of 360 claimants.

Housing

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made on the impact of the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill on tenants who live in areas with a low supply of smaller living units for them to move into.

Steve Webb: It is not possible to predict with any accuracy how claimants might respond to the introduction of size criteria into the social rented sector. Some will not wish to move but make up the shortfall in rent through other means, such as moving into work, increasing working hours, taking in a lodger or using savings. Claimants facing a rent shortfall can also be considered for extra help through discretionary housing payments. We are increasing the discretionary housing payment fund by a further £30 million a year to specifically assist those in adapted properties and foster carers but the fund can also support others in vulnerable circumstances to remain in their home.

Housing Benefit

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential risk of private landlords of one-bedroom houses using the provisions of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to increase rental prices for such properties.

Steve Webb: It is absolutely essential that the Government take urgent steps to manage housing benefit expenditure, which left unreformed would have cost £26 billion per year by 2014-15. The housing benefit reforms announced in the emergency Budget and spending review will, by 2014-15, result in annual savings of more than £2 billion. Some of these measures, aimed at making longer term changes, have been taken forward in the Welfare Reform Act 2012.
	The measures are intended to exert downward pressure on private sector rents. To support this drive, the Government are temporarily widening local authority discretion to pay housing benefit direct to the landlord if it would help the claimant secure or retain a tenancy at a reduced rent.

Housing Benefit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households who were in receipt of local housing allowance prior to April 2011 lost transitional protection before the full nine months transitional protection had expired due to a change of circumstances; and in how many cases the change of circumstances was triggered by (a) moving house and (b) a fall in their household size.

Steve Webb: This information is not available at this time; The Department has commissioned a consortium of academics and research organisations led by Ian Cole, professor of housing studies at Sheffield Hallam University to undertake an independent review of the impact of the housing benefit measures introduced last year. The work will include the effects of the measures on claimants.
	The Department of Communities and Local Government, The Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government are working in close partnership with the DWP and contributing to the costs of the review.

Incapacity Benefit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the caseload was for incapacity benefit claimants for each year since the introduction of that benefit.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants in Great Britain, May 1995 to May 2011 
			 As at May each year Case load 
			 1995 2,844,400 
			 1996 2,847,500 
			 1997 2,838,100 
			 1998 2,784,600 
			 1999 2,744,400 
			 2000 2,728,090 
			 2001 2,795,340 
			 2002 2,807,620 
			 2003 2,815,660 
			 2004 2,814,710 
			 2005 2,783,720 
			 2006 2,730,000 
			 2007 2,685,320 
			 2008 2,637,560 
			 2009 2,374,210 
			 2010 2,126,690 
			 2011 1,946,200 
			 Notes: 1. 100% figures May 2000 to May 2011 are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures for 1995 to 1999 have been derived by applying 5% proportions to 100% WPLS totals and rounding to the nearest 100. 3. Incapacity benefit (IB) replaced sickness benefit and invalidity benefit from 13 April 1995. 4. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance (ESA) for new claims from 27 October 2008. 5. Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance ‘claimants’ include people in receipt of benefit and also those who fail the contributions conditions but receive a national insurance credit, i.e. ‘credits only cases’. 6. Figures do not include ESA claimants. 7. Data is published at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) 5% and 100% data.

Incapacity Benefit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to the public purse in real terms was of incapacity benefit in each year since its introduction.

Chris Grayling: The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 £ million 
			  Nominal 2011-12 prices 
			  Working age Pensioners Total Working age Pensioners Total 
			 1995-96 6,834 1,072 7,906 9,892 1,552 11,443 
			 1996-97 6,793 869 7,662 9,483 1,213 10,696 
			 1997-98 6,744 668 7,412 9,164 908 10,071 
			 1998-99 6,820 431 7,251 9,137 577 9,714 
			 1999-2000 6,629 161 6,790 8,703 211 8,914 
			 2000-01 6,763 3 6,766 8,845 4 8,849 
			 2001-02 6,749 0 6,749 8,666 0 8,666 
			 2002-03 6,758 0 6,758 8,456 0 8,456 
			 2003-04 6,724 0 6,724 8,242 0 8,242 
			 2004-05 6,662 0 6,662 7,938 0 7,938 
			 2005-06 6,650 0 6,650 7,765 0 7,765 
			 2006-07 6,566 0 6,566 7,421 0 7,421 
			 2007-08 6,657 0 6,657 7,355 0 7,355 
			 2008-09 6,516 0 6,516 6,989 0 6,989 
			 2009-10 6,108 0 6,108 6,440 0 6,440 
			 2010-11 5,540 0 5,540 5,685 0 5,685 
			 Notes: 1. Figures include expenditure on sickness benefit and invalidity benefit, the predecessors to incapacity benefit, in 1995-96 only. 2. Figures include both the basic and the earnings-related elements of incapacity benefit. 3. Incapacity benefit was replaced by employment and support allowance for new claims from October 2008. Source: DWP statistical and accounting data. 
		
	
	This information has been published at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/autumn_2011.xls
	A copy of these tables has also been placed in the Library.
	Further benefit expenditure and case load information can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php? page=medium_term

Incapacity Benefit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) weekly and (b) monthly targets his Department has set for the migration of incapacity benefit claimants onto (i) employment and support allowance and (ii) jobseeker's allowance.

Chris Grayling: There are no targets for how many customers move onto which benefit as a result of IB reassessment (IBR).

Industrial Health and Safety

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many workplace inspections were conducted by the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last 10 years.

Chris Grayling: This information is not available in the form requested for the last 10 work years up to 2010-11 without disproportionate cost.

Industrial Health and Safety

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the measures proposed in the Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill.

Chris Grayling: The proposal that health and safety inspectors should be given the power to freeze a company’s assets could help to ensure that any fine subsequently issued by a court could be paid, even if the company were to go into liquidation or administration.
	Processes such as entering administration are provided for in existing company law, and the consequences of doing so affect other areas of regulation, not just health and safety.
	I have therefore asked HSE officials to make contact with the hon. Member’s office to explore how the concerns underpinning the Bill may be most effectively addressed.

Job Creation: Greater London

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new jobs were created in each parliamentary constituency in London in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question how many new jobs were created in each parliamentary constituency in London in the latest period for which figures are available. (101151)
	Estimates of new jobs created are not available. Whilst information is available for net changes in level, it is inappropriate. Net changes in level partially reflects jobs lost, partially reflects people who have been recruited into existing jobs that were vacant and consequently does not give any useful information regarding the actual level of new job creation.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of those aged 18 to 24 who have re-entered the workplace following a period claiming jobseeker's allowance have found employment (a) with small and medium sized enterprises and (b) other business during the period (i) from 16 May 2011 to date and (ii) in the 12 months preceding April 2011 in (1) the UK, (2) Lambeth local authority and (3) Streatham constituency;
	(2)  what proportion of those aged 18 to 24 who have re-entered the workplace following a period claiming jobseeker's allowance have found jobs in the (a) voluntary sector and (b) private sector (i) from April 2011 to date and (ii) in the 12 months preceding April 2011 in (1) the UK, (2) Lambeth local authority and (3) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not collect the information requested.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) claimants and (b) claimants aged 18 to 24 of jobseeker's allowance were required to undertake mandatory work activity in (i) the UK and (ii) Lambeth local authority from 16 May 2011 to date.

Chris Grayling: From 16 May 2011 up to and including November 2011, the number of referrals to mandatory work activity in Great Britain was 24,010 and, of these, 9,950 were aged 18 to 24; in Lambeth local authority there were 230 referrals of which 50 were aged 18 to 24.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for jobseeker's allowance which commenced in each of the last 10 years are still continuing; and how many claims which have finished had a duration of between (a) one and two years, (b) two and three years, (c) three and four years, (d) four and five years and (e) over five years.

Chris Grayling: The information is not routinely collected at the level of detail requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Employment Schemes

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance claimants aged 18 to 24 have participated in the Government’s work experience programme in (a) the UK, (b) Lambeth local authority and (c) Streatham constituency.

Chris Grayling: From January 2011 up to and including November 2011, the number of starts aged 18 to 24 in the work experience programme in Great Britain was 31,540. Of these 31,540, 130 were from Lambeth local authority and 50 from Streatham constituency.

Pensions

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency are in receipt of pension credit; and how many receive the (a) single rate and (b) couples rate of that credit;
	(2)  how many people in Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency are in receipt of the (a) guarantee credit and (b) savings credit element of pension credit; and how many are in receipt of both elements.

Steve Webb: The information requested is in the following tables:
	
		
			 Household recipients of pension credit in Rutherglen and Hamilton West parliamentary constituency 
			  Number 
			 Single people 5,210 
			 Couples 1,490 
			 Total 6,710 
		
	
	
		
			 Number of recipients by type of pension credit 
			  Number 
			 Guarantee credit only 1,960 
			 Savings credit only 1,490 
			 Guarantee credit and savings credit 3,260 
			 Total 6,710 
			 Notes: 1. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves or on behalf of themselves and a partner. 3. These figures are published on the Department’s Tabulation Tool at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/dla/tabtool_dla.html 4. Figures provided are as at May 2011. Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate 100% Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of contracts issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for which he is responsible were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: For the period 1 November 2010 to 29 February 2012, DWP and its agencies awarded 27% of all single supplier contracts to SME businesses.

Remploy: Coventry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2012, Official Report, column 970, on employment support, when he plans to meet hon. Members representing constituencies in Coventry at the Coventry Remploy plant.

Maria Miller: Following the Government’s announcement, I have held two briefing meetings with MPs on 14 and 19 March to discuss the Government’s announcement effecting Remploy.
	I will ask my diary manager to contact your office to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for a meeting. If you wish to arrange for other hon. Members who represent constituents working at the Coventry Remploy factory to attend, I will be happy to meet them also.

Remploy: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government prior to the written statement on Remploy of 7 March 2012.

Maria Miller: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), spoke with the First Minister of Wales on the morning of 7 March 2012 before the written ministerial statement on employment support was laid.
	I also spoke with Leighton Andrews, Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning in the Welsh Government on the morning of 7 March 2012 before the written ministerial statement on employment support was laid.
	I spoke with Leighton Andrews on 22 February 2012 to give him the opportunity to express his concerns about a potential announcement in response to the Sayce review.
	Additionally I wrote to Leighton Andrews in November 2011 providing an update on the Inter Ministerial Group on Disability Employment.

Social Security Benefits

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of variations in the level of expenditure and costs of people in receipt of benefits in each month.

Chris Grayling: Benefit rates are designed to cover essential living needs only, and the rate of benefit is a decision made by Parliament. Benefits are usually increased in line with the consumer prices index which measures the changing cost of a basket of goods consumed by a typical household.
	Some people may be eligible for additional help, for example, to meet costs associated with disability or caring. There are also payments available to people in particular circumstances via the social fund, including seasonal payments to help with fuel costs via the cold weather payment scheme. Pensioners are also entitled to winter fuel payments.
	We have not made an assessment of how expenditure of benefit recipients changes at different points in the year. With the exception of the specific payments for fuel or other needs mentioned above, the Government believe it is for benefit recipients to make the appropriate financial decisions around budgeting to cover their living costs.

Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate he has made of the level of unclaimed benefits in Northern Ireland.

Chris Grayling: Estimates of unclaimed benefits are only available for Great Britain. Matters of social security in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
	Statistics produced by Northern Ireland on unclaimed benefits are available at:
	http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/statistics_and_research-take_up

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking in response to the judgement of the Supreme Court of 14 December 2011 in the case of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v. Payne and Cooper.

Chris Grayling: The Supreme Court held that the Secretary of State cannot recover an overpayment or Social Fund debt contained within a debt relief order by any means, including by deduction from benefit, during the moratorium period of a debt relief order.
	The Department is currently undertaking to offset or refund deductions made in respect of debts included within a debt relief order. These debts will be written-off after the moratorium period where they have not been incurred by fraud.
	While the full implication of the judgment relating to bankruptcy orders is being considered, we have stopped deductions where we know someone is subject to a bankruptcy order.
	The Insolvency Rules will however be amended from 19 March 2012 to exclude Social Fund debt from the scope of debt relief and bankruptcy orders. This is because the Social Fund is cash limited and relies on loan repayments to be available for others in need.

Unemployment: Bethnal Green

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children live in a workless household in Bethnal Green and Bow constituency.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what estimate has been made of the number of children living in workless households in Bethnal Green and Bow constituency in the latest period for which figures are available. (101152)
	Estimates of the number of children living in workless households are derived from the Annual Population Survey (APS) household datasets. However, due to the specific nature of your request it is not possible to provide reliable estimates because the sample sizes for this survey are not sufficiently large for the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what decisions were made in the site selection listed in the Universal Credit Integrated Assurance and Approvals Plan as occurring in February 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: No decisions have been made yet on the sites needed to provide telephony and processing support for the delivery of universal credit. We expect to make decisions on the first sites needed by early summer.

Widowed Parent's Allowance

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether widowed higher rate taxpayers who will not receive child benefit from 2013 will receive widowed parents allowance.

Steve Webb: When child benefit will cease for people who are higher rate taxpayers, we will ensure that entitlement to widowed parent’s allowance is not affected as a result.

Winter Fuel Payments

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been paid in winter fuel payments to people in care homes in each of the last three years.

Steve Webb: The requested information is not available as DWP datasets do not identify people who are resident in care homes receiving winter fuel payments.

Work Capability Assessment

Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of work capability assessments are undertaken by nursing staff and not by doctors.

Chris Grayling: There were a total of 77,345 work capability assessments (WCA) conducted in February 2012 by Atos Healthcare, of which 62.9% were undertaken by nurses.

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the recommendations made to him on the work capability assessment descriptors for people with fluctuating conditions.

Chris Grayling: I have placed a copy of the recommendations made on the work capability assessment descriptors for people with fluctuating conditions in the Library.

Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of work capability assessment decisions by ATOS for which final outcome data is available have not been (a) overturned by the Department and (b) successfully appealed by the claimant.

Chris Grayling: This information is not available.

Work Experience: Minimum Wage

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the possibility of legal challenge to the Work Experience scheme under the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Get Britain Working Voluntary Work Experience placements are established under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973 (the 1973 Act), which confers powers on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), to establish schemes for the purpose of assisting people find and retain employment. Regulation 12(5) of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 provides that workers who are participating in a scheme established under section 2 of the 1973 Act designed to provide training, work experience or temporary work, do not qualify for the national minimum wage provided they are not remunerated by the employer and not engaged in a trial period of work exceeding six weeks. Placements under the Work Experience scheme are not work trials and therefore fall within this exemption.

Work Programme

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints his Department has received from individuals regarding placements they have undertaken with Work programme providers since the start of the programme.

Chris Grayling: My Department does not collect the information in the form requested.
	Since April 2011, we have taken a new approach to complaints about providers, including the Work programme. We require providers to work directly with individuals to resolve complaints about their service. This ensures issues can be resolved at the first point of contact, rather than having to go through other layers of bureaucracy. Equally, it means providers are responsible for resolving and learning from complaints about their service.
	If the individual is not happy with the final response from the provider, they can take their complaint directly to the Independent Case Examiner's Service (ICE); the highest level of complaint investigation in DWP. There is a strong financial incentive for Work programme providers to resolve the complaint and put things right to the customer's satisfaction—if ICE conduct a full investigation and find the provider at fault, they are required to pay £5,000 contribution to the ICE costs.
	As an additional safeguard, providers' complaint processes are assessed as part of the bidding process to ensure they are appropriate.
	From 1 June 2011 to 29 February 2012, ICE took on 11 complaints about Work programme providers. The Independent Case Examiner will provide feedback on the Work programme provider complaint investigations which have been concluded by his office during the 2011-12 report year, including commentary on the adequacy of their complaint processes, in his annual report, due for publication in summer 2012.

Work Programme: Fraud

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department has issued to Work programme providers on guarding against fraud.

Chris Grayling: Chapter 9 paragraphs 53 onwards of the Work programme provider guidance outlines the responsibilities of providers with regards to minimising the risk of fraud:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wp-pg-chapter-9.pdf
	Irregularities/ potential fraud
	53. You have responsibility to minimise the risk of fraud within the programmes you deliver. Funding should be safeguarded against fraud and serious irregularity on the
	part of your directors, employees or subcontractors. Such abuse would include false or misleading claims for attachment fees and outcome payments, whether designed to gain immediate financial advantage or overstate performance.
	54. Deliberate and/or persistent non-compliance with prescribed standards of delivery would also be subject to investigation if a possible financial impact was identified.
	55. In such instance DWP may contact you to pursue enquiries relating to potential abuses of funding. Their remit will be, primarily, to investigate fraud and financial irregularities but it can in certain circumstances extend to non-compliance with
	contract and guidance.
	56. You should therefore ensure that all staff involved in the delivery and management of contracts are fully aware of the risks and consequences of any falsification, manipulation, deception or misrepresentation. Occurrence of fraud within any individual programme could lead to the termination of all contracts held by you as well as civil or criminal proceedings against those implicated.
	DWP issued a note to all providers in August 2011 to remind them of these obligations.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Council Tax Benefit

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2012, Official Report , column 483W, on council tax, if he will ensure that regulations pertaining to the localisation of council tax benefit are published prior to the report stage and third reading of the Local Government Finance Bill.

Bob Neill: Subject to the parliamentary timetable, the Government plan to publish draft regulations or statements of intent for key regulations to enable scrutiny of Government's intentions for secondary legislation for council tax reduction schemes while the Bill is still in its Commons stage.

Fire Services: Emergency Calls

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average length of time was for a fire service 999 response in rural areas in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: Response times are available for fire and rescue authority areas. The latest period for which data are available is 2010-11. These are shown in the following table for the 15 fire and rescue authority areas deemed to be predominantly rural by the official urban/rural classification.
	
		
			 Average response times to fires incidents in predominantly rural fire and rescue authority areas, 2010-11 
			 Minutes 
			  Dwellings    
			  With persons (1) Without persons (1) Other buildings Road vehicles Other (outdoor) 
			 Cambridgeshire 9.6 10.3 9.7 10.7 14.5 
			 Cornwall 11.6 9.9 10.2 12.1 12.1 
			 Cumbria 8.2 8.4 8.8 11.4 10.2 
			 Devon and Somerset 9.1 93 10.3 11.1 11.8 
			 Durham 7.8 7.9 8.5 9.7 10.0 
			 Isle of Wight 6.8 9.5 7.8 8.8 10.4 
			 Isles of Scilly — 7.3 — — 10.9 
			 Lincolnshire 9.0 8.6 9.8 11.9 11.6 
			 Norfolk 6.8 8.7 9.0 9.9 10.7 
			 North Yorkshire 8.7 9.5 10.0 11.6 13.4 
			 Northumberland 9.0 9.5 9.5 10.4 10.4 
			 Oxfordshire 8.7 9.8 9.6 11.4 10.2 
			 Shropshire 8.6 9.8 9.2 10.5 10.6 
			 Suffolk 8.5 10.0 10.2 10.6 12.4 
			 Wiltshire 8.9 10.1 10.5 11.3 11.6 
			 (1) Dwelling fires are presented ‘with and without persons' as requested. ‘With persons' is where there were one or more casualties or rescues. ‘Without persons' is where there was neither any casualty nor any person rescued. Notes: 1 Response times are from time of emergency call to the time of arrival of the first pumping appliance. 2. As per the established methodology, excludes fires where (i) there was heat and smoke damage only, (ii) the call was made after the fire was known to be extinguished, and (iii) in order to avoid erroneous data or exceptional incidents from skewing the averages, excludes where the response time calculated gives an hour or more. 3. In order to be consistent with data available for periods prior to April 2009, incidents are restricted to 'primary fires'—those involving (a) property excepting chimney fires and/or (b) casualties and/or (c) five or more pumping appliances. This means that smaller outdoor fires are not included in the category 'Other (Outdoor)' fires.

Fire Services: Finance

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding he has recently provided to fire and rescue services to improve communication interoperability; what outcomes he expects as a result of such funding; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to my written ministerial statement of 1 March 2012, Official Report, column 37-39WS.

Fire Services: Finance

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what impact assessment his Department carried out on the potential effects on fire and rescue services of planned reductions in years three and four of the spending review.

Bob Neill: We expect to announce the 2013-14 settlement for fire and rescue authorities at around the same time frame as usual. Statutory consultation on the 2013-14 settlement will start around late-November/early-December. Ministers will then take final decisions on the allocations and these will be announced in mid- to late-January.
	An assessment of the distributional impact on the level of spending power for each single purpose fire and rescue authority will be made in early 2013.
	I also refer the hon. Member to my letter of 6 December 2010 to the hon. Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, which outlines how fire and rescue authorities can make sensible savings without impacting on the quality and breadth of services offered to their communities.

Fire Services: Flood Control

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will make it his policy to impose on the fire and rescue services a statutory duty to assist with flooding.

Bob Neill: The Government expect shortly to reach a conclusion as to whether flood rescue needs to be explicitly a statutory duty of fire and rescue authorities. We have recently discussed with partners our view that there needs to be flexibility to agree locally the most suitable approach to dealing with flooding, normally through the local resilience forum, rather than impose a statutory duty on only one of the many organisations that would respond to a flooding emergency. This would reflect the principles that underpin the draft Fire and Rescue National Framework for England, consultation on which concludes today.

Housing

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of houses valued over (a) £1,000,000 and (b) £2,000,000 in (i) the south-east and (ii) the north-east.

Grant Shapps: My Department does not hold this information. We have undertaken no work to produce such valuations, estimates or assessments.

Housing Benefit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of how many staff work on the processing of housing benefit.

Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 February 2012, Official Report, column 37W.

Housing Benefit

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the costs arising from redundancies of housing benefit staff when housing benefit is absorbed into universal credit.

Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 7 March 2012, Official Report, column 768W.

Housing Revenue Accounts: Debts

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effect of further council house sales on the ability of local authorities to service housing revenue account debt.

Andrew Stunell: The Government have made clear that in reinvigorating the right to buy the viability of the housing revenue account must be maintained. We have laid regulations before Parliament that permit local authorities to retain from receipts obtained from additional right to buy sales a sum sufficient to cover the debt on those properties.

Housing: Construction

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many construction jobs in the North West the NewBuy Guarantee Scheme will support.

Grant Shapps: The NewBuy Guarantee scheme will help up to 100,000 households who previously could not buy a new home because of high deposit requirements. We also expect the scheme to support an estimated 50,000 jobs in construction and related industries by increasing demand for newly-built homes. It is too early to estimate how many of these jobs will be in the north west. My Department will carry out a review of the scheme in 2014 to assess impact.

Housing: Energy

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the merits of the process of retrofitting energy saving measures in homes; and what steps he plans to take to encourage homeowners to decarbonise their homes.

Andrew Stunell: The Department worked closely with the Department of Energy and Climate Change in developing the Green Deal—the Government initiative for retrofitting energy saving measures in homes. This included working through analysis which supports the provisions of the Energy Act 2011 and the regulatory impact assessment.
	In addition, the Department has taken key steps to assist home owners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, in particular; improving the content and format of energy performance certificates to make them clearer and more usable; working to support local authorities and landlords to enable them to better support the energy efficiency of their stock and; we are also consulting on extending requirement for additional—consequential—energy efficiency improvements through changes to part L of the building regulations, installed when householders carry out a range of improvements.

Housing: Repairs and Maintenance

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government under what circumstances derelict homes that have been refurbished qualify as new homes under the NewBuy Guarantee Scheme.

Grant Shapps: Any derelict home being sold for the first time since refurbishment, and which meets the eligibility criteria, can be bought from a participating builder using the NewBuy Guarantee scheme.

Incinerators: Planning Permission

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to renew the planning procedures for applications to build incinerators.

Bob Neill: The Government are reviewing existing waste planning policy as part of the preparation of the National Waste Management Plan, which we aim to publish in spring 2013. Until then, Planning Policy Statement 10 continues to apply.

Land Use: Housing

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to deal with land banking for housing.

Andrew Stunell: In “Laying the Foundations: a housing strategy for England” the Government set out how it would be freeing up formerly used public land with the capacity to support up to 100,000 homes over the spending review period. To help accelerate the release of land we have made arrangements for support to be given by an advisory group of experts led by Tony Pidgley as well as by the Homes and Communities Agency. Government Departments have committed to use build now, pay later terms on as much land as possible in order to get new homes built.
	So far as land held by the private sector is concerned, the Office of Fair Trading market study, Homebuilding in the UK (2008), did not find
	“any evidence that house builders have the ability to anti-competitively hoard land or own a large amount of land with planning permission on which they have not started to build.”

Landlords: Private Rented Housing

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of children living in properties affected by damp.

Grant Shapps: This information is not held centrally.
	The English Housing Survey Headline Report 2010-11 available on the Department's website:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/2084179.pdf
	reports that the proportion of dwellings with damp problems reduced from 13% in 1996 to 7% in 2010.
	The previous Government set a target that all social housing should by 2010 meet the Decent Homes standard. This was not met, which is why we are providing £1.6 billion of funding over the spending review period to help make 127,000 council homes decent, and a further £0.5 billion to stock transfer housing associations.

Landlords: Private Rented Housing

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the use of selective licensing to address bad practices by landlords in the private rented sector.

Grant Shapps: Local authorities have extensive powers under the Housing Act 2004 to take action against landlords who fail in their responsibilities. These powers include the discretion to introduce selective licensing schemes in areas suffering from low housing demand and/or significant incidence of antisocial behaviour without having to first seek departmental approval. I believe that it is right for these local decisions to be made by those who are directly accountable to local communities. I would urge and encourage local authorities to make full use of their powers to target and tackle the small minority of rogue landlords.

Landlords: Private Rented Housing

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will consider the findings of the British Social Attitudes Survey in respect of tenant satisfaction in the private rented sector.

Grant Shapps: We take account of a wide range of data sources in formulating policy about the private rented sector, including the British Social Attitudes Survey. The findings in that survey are broadly consistent with those of other surveys, including the English Housing Survey which is published annually by my Department and which shows that rents in the private sector have reduced in real terms, standards have improved, and only 8% of tenancies are terminated before the tenants chose. The survey draws on a sample of some 17,000 households in England,

Local Government: Trade Union Officials

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on (a) employment of full-time trade union officials and (b) trade union check-off arrangements.

Bob Neill: At a time when all councils need to make sensible savings to protect front-line services and help tackle the deficit inherited from the last Administration, Ministers would urge councillors to review the subsidies and funding being provided to trade unions at taxpayers’ expense.
	The Cabinet Office will shortly be consulting on a policy paper about how facility time can be reformed and reduced in the civil service. My Department will in due course provide specific guidance for local councils to help inform their own local reviews (reflecting the fact that it is for local councils, as employers, to decide how to manage their own local work forces).
	We hope this guidance will give local authorities assurance and practical help on how they can review and cut back both so-called ‘pilgrims’ and the provision of hidden subsidies like free office facilities. However, a number of councils—such as Swindon and Southampton —have already undertaken reviews recently of facility time to cut costs, highlighting that councils already have discretion and powers to act without the permission of central Government.
	We would encourage such matters to be debated openly in council meetings—with councillors declaring any prejudicial interests, such as receiving payments in kind from trade unions.
	Councils should ensure that arrangements for collecting union subscriptions through the payroll do not burden taxpayers. We want to raise awareness of the fact that councils are already allowed under law to levy a local administration charge to trade unions for providing this service, or they simply can exercise their right not to offer this payroll facility.
	My Department is currently considering the merits of issuing an updated local government transparency code to ensure greater transparency over payments to trade unions and facility time at taxpayers’ expense.

Local Government: Trade Union Officials

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department plans to issue to local authorities on (a) employment of full-time trade union officials and (b) trade union check off arrangements.

Bob Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (David Morris) today to PQ 92564.

Retail Trade: Urban Areas

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the proportion of new retail developments located in town centres in each of the last five years; and what information his Department holds on the likely trend in the location of retail developments in the next five years.

Grant Shapps: holding answer 15 March 2012
	In the last five years for which figures are available the proportion of retail floor space built in town centres is as follows:
	
		
			 Percentage of newly built retail floor space in areas of town centre activity with and without 300m buffer 
			  Without buffer With buffer 
			 2003 27 43 
			 2004 22 42 
			 2005 26 42 
			 2006 27 41 
			 2007 33 44 
		
	
	No information is available on trends in the location of future retail development.
	The independent Portas review covered many issues affecting high streets. The Government will publish their response in the spring, but, in the meantime, measures have been introduced to support high streets through business rate relief, and local authorities have new powers to levy business rate discounts.

Sleeping Rough

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to reduce the incidence of rough sleeping;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the incidence of rough sleeping in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) the west midlands in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what guidance his Department issues to local authorities to assist in reducing the incidence of rough sleeping;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on trends in the incidence of homelessness and rough sleeping in (a) the UK and (b) England.

Grant Shapps: The coalition Government are committed to tackling and preventing rough sleeping. We have acted decisively to introduce a more accurate assessment of rough sleeping levels so that there is clear information in all areas, to inform service provision and action to address the problem. The previous Government's approach to assessing rough sleeping did not capture the full extent of the problem across the country.
	The guidance ‘Evaluating the Extent of Rough Sleeping: A new approach’ was published in September 2010. This ensures that every local authority provides information on rough sleeping, unlike the previous system. The guidance is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/roughsleepingevaluate
	I recently announced additional funding to tackle and prevent rough sleeping. This includes:
	£20 million—Homelessness Transition Fund to support the roll-out of ‘No Second Night Out’ and protect vital front line services.
	£20 million—Single Homelessness Prevention Fund to help ensure single homeless people get access to good housing advice.
	£5 million boost to the Homelessness Change Programme (bringing the total investment to £42.5 million) to deliver improved hostel provision and provide over 1,500 new and improved bed spaces.
	£5 million—Social Impact Bond—using a payment by results model to help persistent rough sleepers in London. This is the first Social Impact Bond set up to tackle homelessness in the world.
	This comes on top of the existing £400 million homelessness grant this Government have protected over the next four years.
	Ministers from the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet with their colleagues in other Departments to discuss cross-cutting issues. My colleague Lord David Freud represents the Department for Work and Pensions on the Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness which I chair. The group has pledged that for the first time no one should ever need to experience a second night sleeping rough.
	Rough sleeping figures for England can be found on my Department's website. Comparative figures for the last five years are not available due to the improved counting adopted by this Government.
	The London CHAIN report for 2010-11 highlights that over half of London's rough sleepers are non-UK citizens. We are working with the Passage Day centre in London to develop a campaign in the key eastern European countries to highlight the problems faced by destitute economic migrants. We are also working closely with the Mayor's team and the relevant embassies to reconnect migrant rough sleepers to their home country.

Traffic Regulation Orders

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in his Department have had with Ministers and officials in the Department for Transport to discuss the advertising of traffic regulation orders.

Bob Neill: holding answer 13 March 2012
	Ministers and officials within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from other Departments to discuss a range of matters.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Advantage West Midlands: Pay

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether any staff employed by the Advantage West Midlands Development Agency received retention bonuses after the announcement by the Government of the abolition of the regional development agencies.

Mark Prisk: The eight regional development agencies have put in place arrangements to secure the retention of key staff until the agencies are closed. They have made these arrangements with the approval of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and HM Treasury. This is to safeguard the taxpayer's interest in making best use of the significant public assets that the regional development agencies have owned. A retention payment process had been recommended to be put into place by the National Audit Office. At Advantage West Midlands to date, no member of staff has received a retention payment.

Banks: Foreign Workers

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in the banking industry which were outsourced overseas in 2011; and what estimate he has made of the number of such jobs which will be outsourced overseas in 2012.

Mark Prisk: The Government do not estimate or forecast the number of jobs outsourced overseas in total or in any particular sector.

Credit

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on regulation of the peer-to-peer lending sector.

Norman Lamb: Peer-to-peer (P2P) businesses (or “platforms”) that act as intermediaries for business to consumer lending are currently regulated under the Consumer Credit Act by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and require an appropriate consumer credit licence. The OFT only grants licences to businesses where it is satisfied that they are fit to hold such a licence.

Debts: Advisory Services

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  what discussions he has held with the Money Advice Service on contracts for debt advice for 2012-13;
	(2)  how many debt advice providers have had their targets for 2012 increased by more than 50 per cent.; and what effect this will have on their ability to give face-to-face debt advice.

Norman Lamb: On 22 February 2012, the Money Advice Service published ‘A Better Deal for Everyone: A New Approach to Debt Advice’. This set out their role in co-ordinating debt advice from 1 April 2012, funded by a new allocation from the levy collected by the Financial Services Authority.
	I have not had any discussions with the Money Advice Service on grant funding for 2012/13. Officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have shared information about grant funding agreements for existing face-to-face provision with the Money Advice Service.
	BIS are not aware of the detail of the grant agreements being negotiated with debt advice providers for 2012/13 —this is a matter for the Money Advice Service. I am aware, however, that the Money Advice Service has held detailed discussions with all providers concerned.

Employment Agencies: EU Law

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment has been made of the effect the Agency Workers Regulation has had on the unemployment figures for 2011.

Norman Lamb: The Agency Workers Regulations came into force on the 1 October 2011. No assessment has been made of the impact the regulations had on the unemployment figures for 2011. We will, however, monitor the impact of the regulations on the market.

Employment Agencies: EU Law

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the Agency Workers Regulation on small, independent recruitment agencies.

Norman Lamb: No assessment has been made by the Government on the effect of the Agency Workers Regulations on small, independent recruitment agencies. We will work with representatives from trade associations to monitor the impact of the regulations on the market.

Environment Protection: EU Grants and Loans

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2012, Official Report, column 604W, on carbon emissions, when yearly data from 2006 will be available on the (a) amount of funding allocated by the European Development Fund to low-carbon projects in the UK and (b) the number of businesses that received such funding.

Mark Prisk: Information regarding funding from the European Regional Development Fund for these purposes will be placed in the Libraries of the House today.

Government Departments: Greater Manchester

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the amount of office space in empty government buildings which could be used by entrepreneurs in (a) Rochdale constituency and (b) the rest of Greater Manchester; and where such buildings are located.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 14 March 2012
	The Government have identified 251 square metres of space in Wigan, Greater Manchester, as potentially suitable for inclusion in the Prime Minister's initiative to make available empty Government office space for entrepreneurs.
	Officials are currently undertaking due diligence, and exploring whether or not it is appropriate to include it in the initiative.

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will provide a list of designated higher education courses (a) by provider and (b) in each region.

David Willetts: A list of courses that have been specifically designated for student support purposes is published on the Student Loans Company's website:
	http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/policy-information/designated-courses/full-list.aspx

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he and Ministers have had with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in regards to designated courses.

David Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and departmental Ministers have discussions with a wide variety of other Government Departments and external organisations, including the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Higher Education: Admissions

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what measures his Department has put in place to ensure that value for money is received for students who enrol on designated courses.

David Willetts: At present, in order to be specifically designated, courses at privately funded institutions must be validated by a recognised UK awarding body, such as a university, which provides quality assurance. However, as private institutions are not currently subject to fee regulation, providers set their own fee levels. It is a matter for students to make an informed choice between courses on the basis of the information available.
	We set out in the White Paper ‘Students at the Heart of the System’ our intention to legislate, subject to parliamentary time, so that all providers which access student support funding would be subject to the same conditions. This would cover standards for quality, dispute resolution, information, access (if charging above the basic tuition charge), financial sustainability, reformed student number controls and tuition charge caps.
	We believe that new providers and new forms of higher education provision will help stimulate and strengthen market competition, promote student choice and ensure value for money.

Higher Education: Student Numbers

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the student retention rate is of higher education students who enrol on courses with (a) higher education institutions, (b) further education colleges, (c) private (i) not-for-profit and (ii) for-profit higher education providers and (d) providers who run designated courses.

David Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) publishes information on non-continuation rates of undergraduate students, including non-continuation following year of entry (retention rates), through the HESA Performance Indicators release. The latest available figures show that 89.4% of full-time students starting first degree courses at English higher education institutions in 2008/09 continued at the same institution the following year. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will become available from 29 March 2012.
	Further information on HESA performance indicators can be found at:
	http://www.hesa.ac.uk/content/view/2072/141/
	The Level 4 and over Learner Responsive retention rate in General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary for 2010/11 is 87.3%. The Retention Rate is a measure of the ability to complete the course of study for a qualification aim. It is calculated by the number of aims that have been completed divided by the total number of aims started (excluding those learners who have transferred aims).
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not hold the data requested on private (i) not-for-profit and (ii) for-profit higher education providers and private providers who run specifically designated courses. The BIS Technical Consultation of August 2012 stated that we intend to ensure that all higher education providers whose students access student support funding are required to provide sufficient and proportionate information to students and the public.

Industry: Carbon Emissions

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to produce an industrial strategy for the low-carbon sector.

Mark Prisk: The Government published Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy in August 2011, which sets out the policies we are using to support the transition to a green economy and the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector. This publication outlines the range of levers we are using to drive green growth, including the Green Investment Bank.

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many appeals his Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Norman Lamb: One appeal has been made to the Information Rights Tribunal by the Department for Business, Information and Skills in the last 12 months.

Manufacturing Industries

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when the opening and closing dates for applications to the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Initiative will be published.

Mark Prisk: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 15 March 2012, Official Report, column 269W.

McKinsey and Company

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department paid to McKinsey and Company in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: In 2010-11 the Department made payments to McKinsey and Company totalling £501,996 and in 2011-12 (to 13 March 2012) the Department has made payments totalling £908,058. All payments made were in respect of work to establish the Green Investment Bank.

Overseas Students: Entry Clearances

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the Tier 4 visa system on (a) the number of applications from overseas students in (i) Ireland, (ii) EU nations and (iii) other overseas nations as classified by the University and Colleges Admissions Service and (b) the international reputation of the UK's higher education sector.

David Willetts: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) (i) (ii) Changes to the Tier 4 visa system do not affect students applying to the UK from Ireland or EU nations, as only non-EU students are required to apply for a Tier 4 student visa.
	(iii) The latest figures published by UCAS show that, as of 20 February 2012, the number of applicants from non-EU overseas countries was up by 5,266 (from 39,565 to 44,831) compared to the same point last year, a rise of 13.3%.
	(b) I have not made any specific assessment of the effect of changes on Tier 4 to the international reputation of the UK's higher education sector. The purpose of the new student visa route is to address past abuses of the visa system by creating controls that make study applications less attractive to those who are not genuine students, while welcoming genuine students to the UK. We have been absolutely clear that we completely recognise the important contribution that international students make to the UK's economy, and to making our education system one of the best in the world and that the UK is fully open for business and welcomes legitimate students.

Overseas Trade: Libya

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what directives his Department issued on UK companies trading with Libya in each of the last two years; how companies were notified of such directives; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 15 March 2012
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not issue directives to UK companies regarding trade with other countries. We do from time to time make legislation governing the trade and export of strategic and other goods, including legislation enforcing directly applicable European Union (EU) trade sanctions and also advise companies of changes in directly applicable EU law.
	In the case of Libya, the EU introduced an embargo on the export of military goods to Libya on 28 February 2011. BIS drafted an order to enable the enforcement of the trade elements of the directly applicable EU embargo, which came into force on 18 March 2011. A notice to exporters on the EU measures against Libya was issued by the Export Control Organisation within BIS on 7 March 2011. In addition, BIS introduced a control on the export of unissued Libyan notes and coins on 2 March 2011. Companies affected by this additional control were directly informed of these changes by the Export Control Organisation.

Sanctions: Iran

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many companies breached sanctions on Iran in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for enforcing sanctions against Iran that relate to the movement of goods. HMRC works in partnership with the Border Force to enforce these controls.
	The following table shows the number of companies that breached UK controls during the last five years where HMRC believes there was also a breach of Iran sanctions.
	
		
			 Financial year (1 April-31 March) Number of companies believed to have breached Iran sanctions on the movement of goods 
			 2007-08 44 
			 2008-09 40 
			 2009-10 64 
			 2010-11 65 
			 2011-12 (year to date) 84 
		
	
	It should be noted that more than 95% of the breaches referred to in the table above were detected at the UK border and HM Revenue and Customs or Border Force officers successfully intercepted the goods and prevented them from reaching Iran. However, these cases are nevertheless technically counted as a breach of sanctions because the 'sale' of controlled goods is also restricted under the sanctions regime.
	The increase in breaches in 2009-10 and 2011-12 is attributable to the increase in scope of goods covered by the controls.

South East England Development Agency: Government Procurement Card

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a list of all Government Procurement Card transactions by (a) transaction date, (b) supplier and (c) amount made by the South East of England Development Agency in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Mark Prisk: The South East of England Development Agency has not made use of Government Procurement Cards and there are therefore no transactions to list.

Students: Finance

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what effect the Government expects the policy of fee-waiving to have on the availability of bursaries to students.

David Willetts: holding answer 15 March 2012
	According to estimates from the Office for Fair Access (OFFA), including the Government's contribution to the National Scholarship Programme, by 2015 English institutions will make £286 million available to students in the form of bursaries and scholarships.
	Institutions charging above the basic fee level must agree Access Agreements with the Director of Fair Access. In Access Agreements, institutions set out the financial support they will offer to disadvantaged students, including bursaries and fee waivers; the additional outreach activities they will undertake; and the measures of achievement that they have set themselves.
	In our guidance to the Director of Fair Access about Access Agreements, issued February 2011, we suggested that the Director would want to seek to ensure that institutions themselves do not require students to take out higher loans which the institution then re-cycles into poorly targeted bursary schemes. We suggested that the Director of Fair Access might encourage the use of financial waivers that might have the effect of reducing borrowing to both the public purse and the student. The Director of Fair Access reflected these points in his own guidance to institutions which was published shortly thereafter.
	OFFA advises us that there is no hard evidence to support bursaries over fee waivers or vice versa. With student finance changes coming into force from autumn 2012, OFFA will closely monitor the impact of fee waivers and bursaries and plans to conduct research and analysis to see if one method of financial support is more effective than another in supporting and promoting fair access.

Students: Loans

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students enrolled on designated higher education courses received a student loan for the purpose of tuition fees but did not complete (a) their first semester, (b) their first academic year and (c) their entire course by higher education provider in each of the last five years.

David Willetts: The requested information will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Table 1 shows total withdrawals by withdrawal category. Table 2 shows total withdrawal figures by individual higher education institutions (HEIs), but this is not broken down by withdrawal category as figures are too small and could potentially identify individuals.

Students: Loans

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of graduates who are likely to make early repayments to their student loans by (a) 2015 and (b) 2020.

David Willetts: The following table shows the number of borrowers (English domiciled students in UK Higher Education Institutions and EU students in English Higher Education Institutions) making early repayments and the amounts they repaid, in the last three financial years.
	
		
			  Count of borrowers (thousand) Early repayment amount(£ million) 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Early repayments England and EU in England 170.9 113.1 122.1 314.5 225.6 263.2 
		
	
	We have made no forecast of future repayments.

Students: Loans

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what modelling his Department has undertaken on the repayment level of students loans taken out by students enrolled on a designated course.

David Willetts: In 2010/11 students on specifically designated courses at privately funded institutions represented 0.6% of the total population of students receiving student loans and the Department does not undertake separate modelling of their future repayments. The modelling for students on specifically designated courses at private providers is therefore identical to that undertaken for students on courses at other providers.

Students: Loans

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the (a) average institutional fee that will be charged by for-profit providers to students claiming student loans and (b) costs to his Department of the 2012-13 cohort of students during their studies.

David Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not made an estimate of the average institutional fee that will be charged in 2012/13 by institutions not funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England as these institutions are not subject to a fee cap. Eligible students at private institutions who are on courses designated for support will be able to access a fee loan of up to £6,000 if they are studying full-time and £4,500 if they are studying part-time.
	In academic year 2010/11 students at private institutions accessed £33 million of fee and maintenance loans from the Student Loans Company, compared to total fee and maintenance loan outlay of £5.6 billion. In 2012/13, total fee and maintenance loan outlay is expected to increase to around £7.6 billion.

Technology: Greater London

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding has been allocated to Tech City from (a) the public purse and (b) UK Trade and Investment.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 15 March 2012
	The information requested is as follows.
	(a) The Technology Strategy Board's Tech City Launchpad initiative has established a £2 million grant fund for digital projects seeking matched investment. This will enable it to provide support in the form of £100,000 grants to approximately 20 companies
	(b) UKTI's budget for the Tech City initiative in FY 2011/12 is £1,791,500. This pays for business specialists, promotional activities and civil service support.

CABINET OFFICE

Average Earnings: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the average income of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers was in (i) the City of York, (ii) York and North Yorkshire and (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber in each of the last five years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the average income of (a) full-time male, (b) full-time female, (c) part-time male and (d) part-time female workers was in (i) the City of York, (ii) York and North Yorkshire and (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber in each of the last five years. (99765)
	Estimates of average income are not available for the breakdowns requested, but estimates of average earnings are. Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
	The following tables show the median gross weekly earnings for full-time male, full-time female, part-time male and part-time female employee jobs in York, York and North Yorkshire and Yorkshire and the Humber in April each year from 2007 to 2011.
	
		
			 Median gross weekly earnings—for full-time male, full-time female, part-time male and part-time female employee jobs (1) : (i) York, (ii) York and North Yorkshire and (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber 2007 to 2011 
			 (£) 
			 York (2) 
			  Full-time male Part-time male Full-time female Part-time female 
			 2007 *499.7 x *392.7 *148.5 
			 2008 *483.1 x **398.2 **150.5 
			 2009 *526.9 x *399.7 *154.2 
			 2010 *504.4 x *446.8 **163.9 
			 2011 *517.5 x *421.4 *156.4 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			 York and North Yorkshire 
			  Full -time male Part-time male Full-time female Part-time female 
			 2007 461.2 **115.2 342.3 *135.7 
			 2008 486.9 **115.0 377.3 *134.7 
			 2009 483.1 **119.2 386.7 *138.4 
			 2010 480.9 **111.0 *386.1 *140.2 
			 2011 490.8 **119.2 398.3 135.9 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 
			  Full-time male Part-time male Full-time female Part-time female 
			 2007 464.0 *131.5 354.8 143.9 
			 2008 485.3 *137.7 373.0 147.3 
			 2009 488.3 139.7 395.3 151-3 
			 2010 495.8 134.0 404.5 153.3 
			 2011 499.8 137.6 410.2 156.6 
			 (1) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (2) This refers to York Unitary Authority. Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220. Key: CV <= 5% * CV >5% and <=10% ** CV >10% and <=20% x Unreliable Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics.

Employment: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many jobs there were in the City of York in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many jobs there were in the City of York in each of the last 10 years. (099764)
	Table 1 as follows shows the number of total jobs in York for the periods 2000 to 2009 which is the latest are the latest periods available.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk.
	
		
			 Table 1: Total jobs in York for years 2000 to 2009 
			  Total  j obs (thousand) 
			 2000 106 
			 2001 113 
			 2002 111 
			 2003 115 
			 2004 113 
			 2005 111 
			 2006 110 
			 2007 112 
			 2008 115 
			 2009 113 
			 Note: Total jobs is a workplace-based measure of jobs and comprises: - employees (from the Annual Business Inquiry) - self-employment jobs (from the Annual Population Survey) - Government—supported trainees (from DfES and DWP) and - HM Forces (from MoD)

Employment: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many full-time equivalent (a) civil service, (b) health service and (c) armed forces jobs there were in (i) the City of York, (ii) York and North Yorkshire and (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber in each year since 1997.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question how many full-time equivalent (a) civil service, (b) health service and (c) armed forces jobs there were in (i) the City of York, (ii) York and North Yorkshire and (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber in each year since 1997. (099767)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not compile full-time equivalent jobs statistics for civil service, health service and armed forces. However, ONS does produce full time equivalent employment statistics for civil service, health service and armed forces although this is only available at UK level.
	HM Forces work force jobs data is available for Yorkshire and the Humber from 1996 onwards.
	Civil service employment data is available for York, York and North Yorkshire and Yorkshire and the Humber for the periods 2008 to 2010.
	HM Armed Forces headcount numbers are produced by Ministry of Defence and available for York, York and North Yorkshire and Yorkshire and the Humber from the Defence Analytical Services Agency website:
	www.dasa.mod.uk

Lung Cancer

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the level of mortality from lung cancer in (a) Medway Primary Care Trust, (b) West Kent Primary Care Trust and (c) England in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the incidence rate of lung cancer in (a) Medway Primary Care Trust, (b) West Kent Primary Care Trust and (c) England in each of the last three years;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the (a) five and (b) one year survival rates of lung cancer patients in (A) England, (B) Medway Primary Care Trust and (C) West Kent Primary Care Trust in each of the last three years.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary questions.
	Table 1 shows the number of deaths and the age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population where lung cancer was the underlying cause of death, in Medway Primary Care Trust, West Kent Primary Care Trust and England, for 2007 to 2010 (the latest year available).
	Table 2 shows the number of newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer and the age-standardised lung cancer incidence rate per 100,000 population in Medway Primary Care Trust, West Kent Primary Care Trust and England, for 2007 to 2009 (the latest year available).
	One and five-year relative survival estimates for adults (aged 15-99 years), for 21 common cancers, including lung cancer, in England, are published annually and are available here:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html? definition=tcm%3A77-21521
	Survival is calculated from the date of diagnosis.
	Table 3, provides one and five-year relative survival for lung cancer for patients diagnosed in 2003-2007, 2004-2008 and 2005-2009, followed up to 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.
	Survival rates for lung cancer are not available for primary care trusts in England. However, one-year survival rates for all cancers combined are available. For patients diagnosed during 1996-2009 and followed up to the end of 2010, the figures are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html? definition=tcm%3A77-210452
	Figures are presented for each of the 11 years from 1996-2006, for all adults (persons aged 15-99 years), persons aged 55-64 years and persons aged 75-99 years.
	Figures on cancer incidence and mortality in the United Kingdom and constituent countries are published annually and are available here:
	www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html?definition =tcm%3A77-21518
	
		
			 Table 1. Number of deaths and age-standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population (with 95% confidence intervals) where underlying cause of death was lung cancer, England, Medway PCT and West Kent PCT, 2007-10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
			   Number Rate Lower CI Upper CI 
			 England 2007 27,680 38.4 37.9 38.8 
			  2008 28,222 38.5 38.0 38.9 
			  2009 28,060 37.6 37.2 38.0 
			  2010 28,065 37.1 36.7 37.5 
			       
			 Medway PCT 2007 136 43.6 36.3 50.9 
			  2008 130 41.2 34.1 48.3 
			  2009 147 46.7 39.1 54.2 
			  2010 131 41.8 34.7 49.0 
			       
			 West Kent PCT 2007 333 33.3 29.7 36.9 
			  2008 370 36.2 32.5 39.9 
			  2009 321 31.3 27.9 34.7 
			  2010 330 31.8 28.4 35.2 
			 (1) Data extracted using the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) codes C33 'Malignant neoplasm of trachea' and C34 'Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung'. (2) Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (3) The lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and shows the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. (4) Figures are based on boundaries as of February 2012 and exclude deaths of non-residents. (5) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year Source: Office for National Statistics 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2. Number of newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer and age-standardised incidence rate per 100,000 population (with 95% confidence intervals), England, Medway PCT and West Kent PCT, 2007-10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
			   Number Rate Lower CI Upper CI 
			 England 2007 32,881 46.6 46.1 47.1 
			  2008 33,628 47.0 46.5 47.5 
			  2009 33,150 45.8 45.3 46.3 
			       
			 Medway PCT 2007 147 47.1 39.5 54.7 
			  2008 143 46.0 38.5 53.5 
			  2009 160 50.8 42.9 58.6 
			       
			 West Kent PCT 2007 412 42.4 38.3 46.5 
			  2008 430 42.4 38.4 46.4 
			  2009 385 39.5 35.6 43.5 
			 (1) Data extracted using the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) codes C33 'Malignant neoplasm of trachea' and C34 'Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung'. (2) Age-standardised incidence rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (3) The lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and shows the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. (4) Figures are based on boundaries as of February 2012 and exclude deaths of non-residents. (5) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Source: Office for National Statistics 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 3. One and five-year relative survival estimates for patients diagnosed with lung cancer, England, followed up to 2008-10 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
			   One-year survival Five-year survival 
			   Percentage Lower CI Upper CI Percentage Lower CI Upper CI 
			 Patients diagnosed in 2003-07, followed up to 2008 Males 26.6 26.3 26.9 7.0 6.8 7.3 
			  Females 29.3 28.9 29.7 8.7 8.4 9.0 
			         
			 Patients diagnosed in 2004-08, followed up to 2009 Males 27.5 27.2 27.8 7.5 7.2 7.8 
			  Females 30.1 29.7 30.5 8.7 8.4 9.0 
			         
			 Patients diagnosed in 2005-09, followed up to 2010 Males 28.1 27.8 28.5 7.8 7.5 8.0 
		
	
	
		
			  Females 31.1 30.8 31.5 9.3 9.0 9.7 
			 (1 )Data extracted using the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) codes C33 'Malignant neoplasm of trachea' and C34 'Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung'. (2) Relative survival is an estimate of the probability of survival from the cancer alone. For convenience, it is expressed as a percentage in the range 0-100%. It can be interpreted as the survival of cancer patients after taking into account the background mortality that the patients would have experienced had they not had cancer. Background mortality is derived from life tables of all-cause mortality rates in the general population. (3) Estimates provided for both males and females are age-specific and have not been standardised to account for changes in the age-structure of the population through time. (4) Differences between survival estimates for the two periods are taken as the arithmetic difference, for example 12% is shown as 2% (not 20%) higher than 10%. Survival figures are rounded to one decimal place, but the differences are based on exact underlying figures. (5) The lower and upper confidence limits have been provided. These form a confidence interval, which is a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and shows the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. Source: Office for National Statistics and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Third Sector

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much funding his Department gave to (a) the Stephen Lawrence Trust, (b) Magic Breakfast, (c) Barnados and (d) the Children's Society in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: The Cabinet Office has not funded those organisations directly in 2010-11 or 2011-12.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Tony Baldry: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost per participant was of the National Citizen Service in its first year; and what proportion of that cost was accounted for by the recruitment process.

Nick Hurd: Information on the costs of National Citizen Service (NCS) will be published in due course.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Responsibilities

Peter Bone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will bring forward proposals to abolish his office.

Nicholas Clegg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 March 2011, Official Report, column 951W.

Electoral Register: Students

Louise Ellman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect that the introduction of individual electoral registration will have on levels of student registration.

Mark Harper: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	Research is currently being undertaken into the barriers young people face in registering to vote. This research will inform the development of our proposals for individual electoral registration (IER) and in particular our approach to making the transition for students as simple and accessible as possible. In addition, we are working with organisations which represent students to establish the most effective methods of engaging students throughout the transition to IER. The Government will also be conducting further work to explore the potential of data matching for encouraging students to register.

Urban Areas

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the guidelines by which those judging applicant towns for city status made their decisions.

Mark Harper: The Government published guidelines for the format and contents of entries for the Diamond Jubilee competition when the competition was announced. These can still be viewed on the Diamond Jubilee pages of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website. These guidelines describe information which the Government would expect to find useful in reaching a decision, but do not constitute formal criteria. City status is an honour granted by personal command of Her Majesty; not a right to be claimed by towns which tick certain boxes.

Urban Areas

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the names and positions of those who judged the applicant towns seeking city status.

Mark Harper: The Queen's decision on the granting of city status was made on the basis of recommendations put forward by Ministers. The Deputy Prime Minister was responsible for advising Her Majesty on this occasion. In this, he was assisted by me and by officials in the Constitution Group of the Cabinet Office.

JUSTICE

Administration of Justice: Secrecy

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what account he took of judicial comments on closed material procedures in the case of Al Rawi and others v. The Security Service in preparation of the Justice and Security Green Paper.

Kenneth Clarke: The proposals in the Justice and Security Green Paper were guided by relevant case-law, including the judgment of the Supreme Court in Al Rawi and others v. The Security Service. Many of the judgments took the view that closed procedures were a significant enough departure from the principles of transparent justice that they should be a matter for Parliament and not the courts. For example, Lord Clarke said that “It would be better for the problems which arise in this class of case to be dealt with by Parliament.” The Supreme Court acknowledged that in the absence of a closed procedure a case could be untriable and might have to be struck out, as was the case in Carnduff v. Rock.

Administration of Justice: Secrecy

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to Appendix J, paragraph 11 of the Justice and Security Green Paper, in how many of the cases referred to he estimates the Government will be unable to defend itself because sensitive information is central to its defence.

Kenneth Clarke: As indicated in the Justice and Security Green Paper, Appendix J, sensitive information could be central to these cases. It follows therefore that there will be a detrimental effect on Government's ability to defend themselves effectively in all of them.

Administration of Justice: Secrecy

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to Appendix J, paragraph 11 of the Justice and Security Green Paper, how many of the cases referred to he estimates could not proceed if sensitive material was excluded by the operation of public interest immunity.

Kenneth Clarke: It is not possible to predict how many cases would not be able to proceed, because of being struck out, withdrawn or settled. However, as indicated in the Green Paper, sensitive evidence could be centrally relevant and therefore it will obviously affect HMG's ability to defend such cases if sensitive material, engaged in all these cases, is excluded from consideration by PII.

Administration of Justice: Secrecy

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the procedures for dealing with sensitive material in civil proceedings in the US and other common law jurisdictions.

Kenneth Clarke: In preparing the Green Paper on Justice and Security, the Government surveyed international practice in a range of common law and civil law systems in order to understand how other governments address the challenge of handling sensitive material in judicial proceedings. The United States, Canada and Australia were among the common law systems surveyed. A summary of the Government's findings on issues including closed material proceedings (CMPs), Special Advocates, specialist courts, handling of foreign-sourced material and ‘executive veto’ is given in Appendix J of the Green Paper (Cm 8194).

Badgers: Convictions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been convicted of offences under the provisions of the Badger Act 1991 in the latest period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: During 2010 (latest currently available), a total of 30 persons were found guilty at all courts in England and Wales of offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The 1992 Act repealed the previous Badgers Acts of 1973 and 1991.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in May 2012.

Defamation: Scotland

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on reform of libel law.

Jonathan Djanogly: The law of libel in general is a devolved issue, and the proposals for reform of the law in the Draft Defamation Bill extend to England and Wales only. Certain provisions which we intend to take forward in a substantive Defamation Bill amend legislation which currently also extends to Scotland. We are clarifying whether any devolution implications exist on those issues, and the Ministry's officials have informed their counterparts in Scotland of the position.

Juries: Mental Illness

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will consider amending the provisions of the Juries Act 1974 regarding the eligibility for jury service of people with mental health conditions.

Jonathan Djanogly: As the hon. Member may be aware, Lord Stevenson is taking forward a Private Members Bill—the Mental Health (Discrimination) Bill—which includes provisions amending the Juries Act. During the debate on the second reading of this Bill in another place, we made it clear that we support the principles underlying this amendment, but want to ensure that what is implemented is fair and effective. My officials are working with Lord Stevenson to ensure that this is achieved.

Juries: Mental Illness

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effect of the incidence of mental illness on eligibility for jury service.

Jonathan Djanogly: Around 1% of the population is summoned for jury service each year. Of these, some 2% declare themselves ineligible as a result of treatment for mental disorder. Overall, approximately 23% of those summoned are disqualified from serving, on a variety of grounds. On the basis of these figures mental illness is not a significant factor in jury summoning.

Juries: Mental Illness

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of people disqualified from jury service on mental health grounds; and what comparison he has made of this figure with the incidence of mental illness in the general population.

Jonathan Djanogly: Only about 1% of people in England and Wales aged 18 to 69 are summoned for jury service each year, and around 2% of those summoned for jury service declare themselves ineligible on grounds of mental health. This is slightly lower than the proportion of people accessing NHS funded adult specialist mental health services, which was 2,789 per 100,000 population in England in 2010-11
	(1)
	.
	(1) The Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2011

Legal Aid Scheme

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much additional spending he expects to arise from inclusion of peri-natal neurological care in the scope of legal aid.

Jonathan Djanogly: These cases are not at an additional cost to the public purse and have been accounted for as a proportion of the estimated £6 million spend for clinical negligence exceptional cases under the reforms set out in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

Magistrates' Courts: Enforcement

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received in relation to the future of the Enforcement Services part of the Magistrates' Courts Service.

Jonathan Djanogly: HM Courts and Tribunals Service is currently looking at the future of compliance and enforcement services in order to increase the collection of criminal financial penalties over existing levels while reducing the cost of collection.
	Since the programme was first announced to staff in January 2011, we have received 92 items of correspondence from Members of Parliament. We have also received one petition from PCS Union members.
	We have received 14 formal letters from PCS and have held 11 formal meetings.
	No further representations have been made.

Magistrates' Courts: Enforcement

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the Enforcement Services part of the Magistrates' Courts Service.

Jonathan Djanogly: After consideration of the current services and future requirements, I have agreed that HM Courts and Tribunals Service should explore the potential of creating a service delivery partnership, with the objective of building on the improvements we have already made. It is envisaged that any such partnership would be able to provide the level of investment necessary to achieve these objectives.

Prisons: Drugs

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison officers were (a) accused of, (b) charged with, (c) prosecuted for and (d) convicted of smuggling drugs or other contraband into prisons in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The information is as follows:
	(a) There is no single route for submitting accusations of this type but intelligence relating to prison security, including staff corruption, is reported into prison security departments. Intelligence data cannot be released as to do so would require significant interpretation and contextualisation and could have implications for order and control, the integrity of security systems and ongoing investigations relating to staff misconduct.
	(b)and (c) The responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of crime rests with the police; data relating to prison officers charged and/or prosecuted for any offence is not held centrally by NOMS.
	(d) Central records held by the NOMS corruption prevention unit (CPU) in relation to convictions indicate that in the period 1 January 2008 to 14 March 2012, 18 prison officers have been convicted of offences relating to the conveying of drugs into prisons and 11 prison officers have been convicted of offences relating to the conveying of other contraband into prisons. The following table provides a yearly breakdown.
	
		
			  ‘ Convictions ’  relating to the conveying of: 
			  Drugs by prison officers All other contraband by prison officers 
			 2008 6 0 
			 2009 6 3 
			 2010 2 4 
			 2011 3 3 
			 2012 (to date) 1 1 
			 Note: These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems which may be amended at any time. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Prisons: Fires

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cell fires have been reported since 2010; and if he will list the prisons where the incidents took place.

Crispin Blunt: From 1 January 2010 to the 29 February 2012 there have been 1,445 fires in prisons in England and Wales.(1) The following lists the prisons where the incidents took place.
	(1) These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems which may be amended at any time. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.
	Establishment
	Acklington
	Albany
	Altcourse
	Ashfield
	Aylesbury
	Bedford
	Belmarsh
	Birmingham
	Blundeston
	Brinsford
	Bristol
	Brixton
	Bronzefield
	Buckley Hall
	Bullingdon
	Bull wood Hall
	Bure
	Camp Hill
	Canterbury
	Cardiff
	Castington
	Channings Wood
	Coldingley
	Cookham Wood
	Deerbolt
	Doncaster
	Dorchester
	Dover Immigration
	Dovegate
	Downview
	Durham
	Eastwood Park
	Edmunds Hill
	Elmley
	Erlestoke
	Everthorpe
	Exeter
	Featherstone
	Feltham
	Forest Bank
	Foston Hall
	Frankland
	Full Sutton
	Garth
	Gartree
	Glen Parva
	Gloucester
	Grendon
	Guys Marsh
	Haverigg
	Hewell
	Highdown
	Highpoint
	Hindley
	Holloway
	Holme House
	Hull
	Isis
	Kingston
	Lancaster Farms
	Latchmere House
	Leeds
	Leicester
	Lewes
	Leyhill
	Lincoln
	Lindholme
	Littlehey
	Liverpool
	Long Lartin
	Low Newton
	Lowdham Grange
	Maidstone
	Manchester
	Moorland (Closed)
	Morton Hall
	New Hall
	Northallerton
	Norwich
	Nottingham
	Onley
	Parc
	Parkhurst
	Pentonville
	Peterborough
	Peterborough (Female)
	Portland
	Preston
	Ranby
	Reading
	Risley
	Rochester
	Rye Hill
	Shrewsbury
	Stafford
	Standford Hill
	Stocken
	Stoke Heath
	Styal
	Swaleside
	Swansea
	Swinfen Hall
	The Mount
	The Verne
	Wakefield
	Wandsworth
	Warren Hill
	Wayland
	Wealstun
	Wellingborough
	Wellington
	Wetherby
	Wharton
	Whitemoor
	Winchester
	Woodhill
	Wormwood Scrubs
	Wymott
	Wolds

Prisons: Postal Services

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance is provided to prison authorities on monitoring prisoner mail entering and leaving prison.

Crispin Blunt: The policy guidance on the handling of prisoners' mail is contained in Prison Service Instruction 49/2011 Prisoner Communication Services, and is available to all staff and prisoners. There are also local security strategies in place at prisons to support the policy.
	All incoming and outgoing prisoners' mail will be examined by staff within the prison post room to check for illicit enclosures, but this will not be routinely opened or read. Up to 5% of prisoners' mail is read on a random basis but this does not include legally privileged correspondence.
	All prisoners held within the high security estate, and those deemed an increased risk of escape in all prisons, will have their mail opened and read routinely, but again with the exception of legally privileged mail. There is provision for implementing strict monitoring arrangements for any prisoner who is considered a risk to national or prison security, or to public safety.
	There are a number of restrictions placed on the contents of prisoners' mail which, if breached, may result in criminal or disciplinary action.

Television: Licensing

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were prosecuted for offences relating to not having a television licence in Dartford constituency in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts in the Kent police force area for offences of television licence evasion, from 2006 to 2010 (latest available), can be viewed in the following table:
	Centrally held court proceedings data are not available at parliamentary constituency level.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in May 2012.
	
		
			 Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for television licence evasion (1) , Kent police force area, 2006 to 2010 (2,3) 
			 Kent police force area 2006 (4) 2007 (4) 2008 2009 2010 
			 Number proceeded against 2 433 3,494 3,966 4,354 
			 (1) Includes offences under the Communications Act 2003, section 363. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) Data relating to the Kent police force area for 2006 and 2007 are known to have been under-reported. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice

Victim Support Schemes

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the potential change in administration costs which would result from a move to local commissioning of victim support services;
	(2)  what steps he intends to take to ensure that the most vulnerable victims of crime are properly protected if local commissioning of services for victims is introduced; and how continuity of support will be maintained if such victims move house;
	(3)  whether he intends to develop minimum quality standards if local commissioning of victims’ services is introduced.

Crispin Blunt: In our consultation document “Getting it right for Victims and Witnesses”, published on 30 January, we said that priority should be given to the most vulnerable victims, to those who are the most persistently targeted, and to those who are victims of serious crime. We will ensure that these victims receive the support they need, wherever the crime was committed and wherever they live. Any commissioning model would involve a change in administration costs. It is too early to say what this would be, but the Government are determined to keep administration costs to a minimum. Subject to responses to the consultation, we will consider what might need to be done to ensure the quality of victims’ services, should we move to a local commissioning model.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Storage

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will consider changing the proposal in the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones consultation to amend the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations 1991 to remove the exemption for storage structures built before 1991 to use a risk-based approach.

Richard Benyon: We accept that some structures built before 1991 may be of a standard that does not pose an increased risk compared to stores built under the Regulations. We will be exploring how we can minimise the cost to the industry of these proposals through ideas such as transitional arrangements or inspection arrangements. However, we do need to consider the risk posed by older, currently exempt, structures, both to the aquatic environment and to the safety of farm workers, as the regulations cover both these aspects. We will continue to build evidence and gather views as to the best way forward. The Government will consider the responses to the consultation fully and carefully, and expects to publish its response in May.

Animal Welfare: EU Action

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on the development of animal health legislation.

James Paice: The second round of EU working groups for the revision to the Animal Health Law began in November 2011; officials have attended five of these: on 25 November, 6 December, 9-10 January, 6 February and 15 March.
	I met Commissioner Dalli on 6 February this year; DEFRA's Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens, was present at that meeting. Nigel Gibbens also met with the Commission on 25 January and 16 February. The Permanent Secretary met with the Commission on 12 January. All of these meetings covered the revisions to the animal health law, but it was not the primary purpose of the meetings.
	Meetings with the Commission are expected to continue leading up to the new proposals being presented in autumn 2012, and DEFRA officials will continue to work closely with colleagues in all of the devolved Administrations.
	I have also written to the Chair of the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee and the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union on 9 March, giving updates on progress. I will arrange for copies of these letters to be placed in the Library of the House.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what her policy was on extending the LIFE+ funding instrument to the British Overseas Territories during negotiations at the EU Environment Council on 9 March 2012;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with her (a) French, (b) Dutch and (c) Danish counterparts on opening up the next programming round of LIFE+ to the Overseas Countries and Territories of EU member states;
	(3)  what her policy is on allowing British Overseas Territories to bid in the next programming round of LIFE+.

Richard Benyon: The Commission published a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) for 2014-20 in December 2011. An orientation debate on this proposal was held at the EU Environment Council on 9 March. During the debate, the UK argued for the extension of the LIFE programme to all the Overseas Countries and Territories of EU member states. UK officials are in contact with France, the Netherlands, Denmark and the European Commission about this issue.

Conservation

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to promote the transfer of information on good practice between conservation practitioners.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA supports a number of initiatives to transfer information on conservation practice.
	As a matter of course, all of our funded research, and that of our arm’s length bodies, is published on the internet and is freely available to all.
	As we promised in the Natural Environment White Paper, we are now supporting new conservation initiatives and encouraging those involved to share experience and information both formally and informally. Local nature partnerships and nature improvement area partnerships are good examples.
	DEFRA also supports a number of more explicit knowledge exchange projects. These include:
	technical notes and good practice guidance, such as the “Biodiversity Planning Toolkit”, Natural England’s Technical Information Notes and the Food and Environmental Research Agency’s guidance on “controlling invasive non-native species”;
	the online search engine “Habitat Management on the Web” provided by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee;
	online data sharing initiatives on biodiversity information and action, for example, the “National Biodiversity Network-Gateway” or the “Biodiversity Action Reporting System” (BARS); and
	the DEFRA-funded “Ecosystems Knowledge Network” project set up to support sharing of best practice in applying the ecosystem approach to local conservation.

Departmental Pay

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials in (a) her Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which her Department is responsible are paid (i) £100,000 and (ii) £142,500 or more per annum.

Richard Benyon: The following table shows the number of staff, directly employed and paid via payroll, who are paid between £100,000 and £142,499 and £142,500 or more in core-DEFRA, the Executive Agencies and main non-departmental public bodies.
	
		
			 Organisation Number paid £100,000 to £142,499 Number paid £142,500 or more 
			 Core-DEFRA 10 2 
			 Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency 2 0 
			 Veterinary Medicines Directorate 1 0 
			 Rural Payments Agency 3 1 
			 Food and Environment Research Agency 1 0 
			 Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science 1 0 
			 Environment Agency 14 3 
			 Natural England 1 0 
			 Joint Nature Conservation Committee 0 0 
			 Marine Management Organisation 1 0 
			 Gangmasters Licensing Authority 0 0 
			 Consumer Council for Water 1 0 
			 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 4 0 
		
	
	For the purposes of determining how many staff were at or above the thresholds, organisations have used base pay, plus taxable benefits and allowances, based on full-time equivalent (FTE).
	This response covers Core-DEFRA, Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the Environment Agency (EA), Natural England (NE), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the Gangmasters Licensing Authority
	(GLA), the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (RBG Kew), who are all covered by the Treasury's pay remit process.

Droughts

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of potential water shortages (a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) by agricultural sector on (i) food production, (ii) food security and (iii) farming income.

James Paice: The Environment Agency published on 13 March its Drought prospects for spring and summer 2012:
	http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/PDF/GEHO0312BWDT-E-E.pdf
	This confirms that most of the south east and eastern England is in drought as a result of two consecutive dry winters with below average rainfall. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), chaired a drought summit on 20 February with representatives of sectors affected by the drought who focused on actions to work across sectors to make best use of reduced water resources. Representatives agreed to establish a National Drought Group which had its first meeting on 12 March.
	It is too early to forecast the outcome of the effects of a continued drought on farming and domestic food production. This will depend on a range of factors including rainfall and the measures and decisions taken by farmers and growers individually and collaboratively, and in concert with other water stakeholders. Farmers will take decisions in the light of their local circumstances and their best assessment of how to manage their operations and business through the spring and the summer and beyond.
	The impact on domestic farming income will likewise depend on a wide range of production and market factors and interactions. We will continue to work closely with farmers and with water companies and others such as the NFU and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. We aim to support them in maintaining domestic production and facilitate a flexible, pragmatic approach in order to mitigate as far as possible the potential consequences of reduced water availability.
	DEFRA’s 2010 UK Food Security Assessment was that the UK was food secure and resilient to a wide range of shocks. It included indicators of global water use, but not water use in the UK on the basis that while this could have important impacts on the domestic farming sector, international trade would ensure continued availability of affordable food.

Droughts

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the potential effect of drought measures on the horticultural sector.

Richard Benyon: We will be monitoring the situation for crops, including horticultural produce and ornamentals, which could be affected by drought in England. Availability of water for irrigation is particularly important for growers of high value horticultural food crops such as soft fruit, tree fruit and salads, who will be accordingly focused on appropriate planting and cultivation decisions and on practical measures to mitigate the impacts of drought.
	Production of ornamentals and the retail gardening trades overall represent a significant business sector in the economy. The Horticultural Trades Association has attended each of the drought summits chaired by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), and is working closely with the water companies and the Environment Agency to ensure that measures to minimize and mitigate the impact of drought are effective and proportionate. DEFRA welcomes the leadership the Horticultural Trades Association and its members can offer in reducing their own water usage and that of their customers, while maintaining the benefits to the environment and to well-being that gardening provides.

Farmers

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of trends in the price farmers received for milk from 1 April 2011.

James Paice: The average milk price in pence per litre paid to UK dairy farmers in each month since April 2011 is given as follows.
	
		
			  Average price 
			 April 2011 26.41 
			 May 2011 26.38 
			 June 2011 26.62 
			 July 2011 27.21 
			 August 2011 27.59 
			 September 2011 28.13 
			 October 2011 29.09 
			 November 2011 29.45 
			 December 2011 29.33 
			 January 2012 28.84 
			 Sources: DEFRA, RERAD, DARD 
		
	
	Farm gate prices tend to show a degree of seasonality and are usually at their lowest in late spring or early summer when production is at its peak. In every case, the average monthly figures for 2011-12 are higher than the equivalent month in 2010-11. Ultimately, profit levels are the real issue for farmers and these depend on input costs and efficiency of production as well as milk price.

Farmers: Income

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to support the sustainable growth of total income from farming through (a) livestock farming and (b) arable farming in the UK.

James Paice: The Government are committed to supporting British farming and helping it to develop. Our aim is for the UK to have a competitive and productive agricultural sector. This is embedded in all the work that we do.
	Support to improve the competitiveness of the farming sector is being made available under the Rural Development Programme for England. Within the context of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, we are working to ensure that the next round supports the development of a market-focused competitive industry with improved environmental performance.
	We are also working closely with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board sectors, which fund applied research and knowledge transfer to increase competitiveness and profitability in UK farming. For example, the Home Grown Cereals Authority's (HGCA) Business Improvement activities assist those in the cereals sector to respond more effectively to demand and equip them with the information to make continual improvements to their businesses.
	DEFRA funds research on crop genetic improvement and breeding, nutrition and protection to help farmers and growers increase productivity and competitiveness through improving yield, market quality and more efficient targeting of inputs.
	Through the Dairy Supply Chain Forum, Government challenge senior sector representatives to discuss the health and future of the dairy sector and identify opportunities which should benefit dairy farmers. These include exploring new export markets or replacing imports with British products to improve our trade balance and therefore demand for British milk supplies. We have also encouraged and supported industry's development of its own voluntary code of practice on contractual relations for farmers.
	The Green Food Project, a joint initiative between Government, food and farming industry, and environmental and consumer organisations, aims to explore challenges to improve farmer's productivity, and therefore, competitiveness while also enhancing the environment, considering how any raised tensions can be reconciled.

Farmers: Pesticides

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department issues to farmers on efficient methods of fungicide and pesticide application.

Richard Benyon: As part of their authorisation plant protection products (which include agricultural pesticides such as fungicides, herbicides and insecticides) carry detailed product specific directions and conditions of use on their labels. Adherence to these ensures products can be used safely and effectively. In addition the statutory "Code of practice for using plant protection products" contains wide ranging advice, including, in sections 3 and 4, advice on planning and preparation and working with these products. This encompasses advice on efficient application commensurate with the protection of human health and the environment, and achieving the required control of pests, weeds and/or disease.

Fisheries: Sustainable Development

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to discuss restoring depleted global fish stocks to sustainable levels at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012.

Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), will be attending Rio+20 (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) in June 2012. Action on food security and environmentally sustainable agriculture and fisheries, including ensuring that fish stocks are managed sustainably, is a UK priority.

Flooding

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to warn people of potential flooding.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA works with the Environment Agency and others in planning for flooding emergencies through the Flood Emergencies Capabilities Programme. This programme is part of the Cabinet Office’s Capabilities Programme which examines the ability of key organisations to cope with a range of emergencies threatening life and property.
	The Environment Agency provides flood warnings to the public for flooding from rivers, the sea and groundwater across England and Wales. Warnings can be directly sent to over 1.1 million landline telephones. Those at risk can also sign up to receive warnings through mobile phones, by text message, e-mail and fax. Warnings are added to the Environment Agency’s website as soon as they are issued, as well as to other websites, such as the BBC and popular social networks. They are also broadcast by local radio stations. There is also a free ‘app’ for I-phones and BlackBerrys, so people can monitor flood warnings for their area when they are on the move. Flood warnings give two or more hours notice of impending flooding, so that those at risk can move, with their most valuable items, to a safe place.
	Giving people time to prepare relies on good weather forecasts from the Met Office. These are used by the flood forecasting centre, a joint partnership between the Met Office and the Environment Agency and seven regional teams, to forecast flood risk both nationally and locally.

Livestock: Disease Control

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) cattle and (b) sheep were culled as a result of contracting a disease in (i) Cumbria, (ii) the North West and (iii) England in each of the last 10 years.

James Paice: Cattle and sheep culled as a result of contracting bovine TB, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Bluetongue, BSE, Brucellosis and scrapie, in the formats held by DEFRA, are as follows.
	For bovine TB, the figures can be found on DEFRA's website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/foodfarm/landuselivestock/cattletb/
	The following table shows the number of cattle and sheep culled by DEFRA for exotic notifiable disease control purposes. The 2007 figure for cattle comprises of 982 for FMD and five for Bluetongue. The 2007 figure for sheep solely represents those culled during the FMD outbreak.
	
		
			  England North West Cumbria 
			  Cattle Sheep Cattle Sheep Cattle Sheep 
			 2002 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2004 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2007 987 43 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2011 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of cattle culled on suspicion of BSE and the number of confirmed cases.
	
		
			  England Northwest (Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire) Cumbria 
			  Slaughtered as suspects Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered as suspects Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered as suspects Confirmed BSE cases 
			 2002 687 387 61 28 40 17 
			 2003 341 141 27 10 21 4 
			 2004 259 70 35 9 16 4 
			 2005 122 35 14 4 9 3 
			 2006 96 10 8 2 3 1 
			 2007 53 7 10 1 5 0 
			 2008 28 1 2 0 1 0 
			 2009 12 1 0 0 0 0 
			 2010 11 0 1 0 0 0 
			 2011 9 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2012 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 1,619 652 158 54 95 29 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of cattle culled as offspring of confirmed BSE cases and the number of confirmed cases.
	
		
			  England Northwest (Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire) Cumbria 
			  Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases 
			 2002 620 0 40 0 24 0 
			 2003 292 0 20 0 11 0 
			 2004 200 0 23 0 11 0 
			 2005 126 0 12 0 5 0 
			 2006 27 0 1 0 0 0 
			 2007 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2011 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 1,265 0 96 0 51 0 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of cattle culled as birth cohorts of confirmed BSE cases and the number of confirmed cases.
	
		
			  England Northwest (Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire) Cumbria 
			  Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases 
			 2002 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 2004 3 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2005 2,428 2 283 0 95 0 
			 2006 528 0 41 0 16 0 
			 2007 317 0 4 0 2 0 
			 2008 131 0 7 0 5 0 
			 2009 45 0 5 0 3 0 
			 2010 184 0 123 0 0 0 
			 2011 25 0 1 0 0 0 
			 2012 8 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 3,669 2 464 0 121 0 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of cattle culled under the Over 30 Months Scheme and the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme and the number of confirmed BSE cases:
	
		
			  England Northwest (Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire) Cumbria 
			  Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases Slaughtered Confirmed BSE cases 
			 2002 101,790 11 11,611 2 6,286 1 
			 2003 149,235 13 21,905 1 12,638 1 
			 2004 216,877 7 32,770 1 19,153 1 
			 2005 194,243 4 30,569 2 18,641 1 
			 2006 29,106 2 4,335 0 2,739 0 
			 2007 14,684 0 1,811 0 1,202 0 
			 2008 16,645 1 1,765 0 1,165 0 
			 2009 280 0 22 0 4 0 
			 2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2011 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 722,860 38 104,788 6 61,828 4 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of sheep culled on suspicion of scrapie and the number of confirmed cases.
	
		
			  England Northwest (Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire) Cumbria 
			  Slaughtered as suspects Confirmed scrapie cases Slaughtered as suspects Confirmed scrapie cases Slaughtered as suspects Confirmed scrapie cases 
			 2002 327 225 47 43 18 15 
			 2003 303 229 65 55 35 26 
			 2004 250 161 20 14 20 14 
			 2005 149 54 22 10 9 1 
			 2006 132 51 38 19 4 0 
			 2007 24 10 2 0 1 0 
			 2008 10 1 2 1 1 0 
			 2009 11 0 1 0 1 0 
			 2010 2 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2011 48 44 0 0 0 0 
			 2012 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 1,257 775 197 142 89 56 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of sheep killed in initial culls following confirmation of scrapie on affected holdings and the number of confirmed cases.
	
		
			  England Northwest (Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire) Cumbria 
			  Slaughtered Confirmed scrapie cases Slaughtered Confirmed scrapie cases Slaughtered Confirmed scrapie cases 
			 2002 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2004 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2005 4,681 27 329 2 179 0 
			 2006 2,796 30 302 12 86 0 
			 2007 264 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2008 250 0 9 0 0 0 
			 2009 319 0 150 0 0 0 
			 2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2011 100 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 8,410 57 790 14 265 0 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of sheep killed under the Compulsory Scrapie Flock Scheme and the Voluntary Scrapie Flock Scheme. These animals were not tested for scrapie.
	
		
			  England Northwest (Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire) Cumbria 
			  Slaughtered Slaughtered Slaughtered 
			 2002 0 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 0 
			 2004 38,840 3,318 3,146 
			 2005 63,288 6,391 3,130 
			 2006 28,451 4,044 424 
			 2007 3,350 77 69 
			 2008 3,169 0 0 
			 2009 2,861 65 0 
			 2010 2,010 0 0 
			 2011 6,690 0 0 
			 2012 0 0 0 
			 Total 148,659 13,895 6,769 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of cattle culled as a result of Brucellosis which, it should be noted, is based on the best information available.
	
		
			  England North West Cumbria 
			 2002 0 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 0 
			 2004 167 0 0 
			 2005 (1)20 0 0 
			 2006 (2)5 0 0 
			 2007 0 0 0 
			 2008 0 0 0 
			 2009 0 0 0 
			 2010 1 0 0 
			 2011 0 0 0 
			 (1) Represents whole of GB; England only figure not available. (2) Includes Scotland; England only figure not available.

Marine Conservation Zones

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether marine conservation zones will be designated by the summer 2013;
	(2)  if she will consider introducing a second round of additional marine conservation zones to be allocated after 2013.

Richard Benyon: The Government remain committed to creating a network of marine protected areas in the UK, and aims to designate the first round of marine conservation zones (MCZs) in the summer of 2013, with further designations of sites following thereafter.
	I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 15 November 2011, Official Report, columns 738-42, which sets out the designation process for MCZs.

Organic Food: Families

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the volume of organic food an average family buys in a week; and what trends have been identified in such purchasing patterns.

James Paice: DEFRA does not hold figures or estimates of household purchases of food and drink specified as 'Organic'.
	UK figures on sales are available from the Ethical Consumerism Report by the Co-operative Bank. The data are based on administrative records held by ethical labelling organisations and trade associations. The last five years on record are estimated as follows, and show that sales of organic food in 2010 were down 10% on 2009.
	
		
			 Organic food and drink 
			  UK sales (£ million) 
			 2006 1,737 
			 2007 1,982 
			 2008 1,986 
			 2009 1,704 
			 2010 1,527 
			 Source: Ethical Consumerism Reports (ECR). The Co-operative Bank http://www.goodwithmoney.co.uk/ethicalconsumerismreport

Rights of Way: Coastal Areas

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend legislation on rights of way and the England Coastal Path in response to representations from the Country Landowners Association.

Richard Benyon: In "The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature", the Government's Natural Environment White Paper, we announced plans to consult on simplifying and streamlining the processes for recording and making changes to public rights of way, based on proposals made by Natural England's Stakeholder Working Group on unrecorded rights of way in its report entitled “Stepping Forward”. As a member of the Stakeholder Working Group, the Country Landowners and Business Association has made clear its continuing support for the proposals in the “Stepping Forward” report. We will be issuing a consultation document in due course.
	The Government recognise the concerns of some landowners and the Country Land and Business Association about the implementation of the coastal access provisions in part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, particularly about the extent of the “coastal margin” and the area of additional “spreading room” to which people will have access. We have no plans to amend the 2009 Act but, in the light of the lessons we have learned in the implementation of coastal access at Weymouth, we will be looking to adopt a more efficient and streamlined approach to the future implementation of the coastal access provisions.

Rural Areas: Broadband

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 February 2012, Official Report, columns 361-2W, on rural areas: broadband, whether the funding for the rollout of broadband to rural areas is the funding made available to BDUK by her Department.

Richard Benyon: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is the lead Department for delivery of the Government's broadband policy and Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) is its operational arm.
	DEFRA has not made any funding available to BDUK. The Government's £530 million investment in the rollout of rural broadband has been derived from both the Digital Switchover Helpscheme underspend and the TV License fee settlement.

Rural Areas: Broadband

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 February 2012, Official Report, columns 361-2W, on rural areas: broadband, whether the funding for investment is open to (a) technologies which support standard broadband speeds only and (b) areas which are not rural.

Richard Benyon: My response to PQ 96195 of 29 February 2012, Official Report, columns 361-62W, referred to two separate but complementary investment programmes.
	The £530 million Broadband Delivery UK funding is to help stimulate private investment to deliver superfast broadband to 90% of premises, and standard broadband to all premises in the UK, by 2015. This funding is targeted at areas that will not be served sufficiently quickly by the market acting alone. Most, but not all, of these areas will be rural.
	The £20 million Rural Community Broadband Fund is operated by DEFRA under the Rural Development Programme for England. It is specifically designed to extend superfast broadband into those 10% hard to reach rural communities that will otherwise only receive standard broadband. It is therefore only available to support technologies that deliver superfast speeds and is not available in urban areas.

Schmallenberg Virus

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on the spread of the Schmallenberg virus.

James Paice: We are in contact with our EU colleagues through discussions at the Commission with the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, the Directorate General for Health and Consumers, and the Directorate General for Trade as well as the European Food Safety Authority and the EU laboratories involved in testing and research on Schmallenberg virus.

Schmallenberg Virus

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the Schmallenberg virus on the (a) productivity and (b) revenue of farmers.

James Paice: The situation is still evolving and we will not be able to make a full assessment of the impact on productivity or revenue of farmers until the end of the lambing and calving seasons. However, current indications are that it is not having a significant effect on either.

Schmallenberg Virus

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of testing for the Schmallenberg virus on the normal operation of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.

James Paice: The Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory Agency continues to meet its obligations through prioritisation and flexibility in the use of its laboratory resources.

Schmallenberg Virus

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there is any evidence of under-reporting of the cases of the Schmallenberg virus in England and Wales.

James Paice: The disease is not notifiable and there is no requirement for reporting disease. While there is some evidence AHVLA are not being told about all cases for a variety of reasons, we are satisfied that we are being told about enough to enable us to build an accurate picture of how widespread the disease is.

Water Supply

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department takes to ensure water companies take appropriate action to maximise resources and minimise wastage to conserve water supplies.

Richard Benyon: All water companies in England and Wales have statutory water resources management plans, which show projections of supply and demand for water over future years, and how the companies aim to balance the two. Water companies manage water resources using a combination of demand management measures, including water efficiency, metering and leakage control, with the development of new water supply resources where needed. These statutory plans are subject to public consultation.
	Water companies in England and Wales also have statutory drought plans that set out how they will continue to supply water in a drought. Each drought plan contains a range of measures to be activated depending on the severity and extent of a drought. The measures include extra promotion of water efficiency, publicity campaigns, enhanced leakage reduction, restrictions on water use and pressure reduction. Water companies are required to publicly consult on their drought plans to promote transparency on the steps that they plan to take to manage water resources in a drought.

HEALTH

Alcoholic Drinks: Abuse

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) Kent received treatment for alcohol dependency in each of the last three years.

Anne Milton: It is not possible to provide the number of people receiving treatment for alcohol dependency in the constituency of Dartford, as alcohol treatment data is only reported at primary care trust (PCT) level. The number of people receiving treatment for alcohol dependency in Kent for the year 2008-09 to 2010-11 is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Total number of primary alcohol clients (18+) in treatment in the year 
			 PCT 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent 1,372 1,162 1,064 
			 West Kent 697 851 797 
			 Source: National Alcohol Treatment Monitoring System.

Ambulance Services: North-west Region

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many ambulances are on duty during the day in (a) Warrington borough, (b) Halton borough and (c) Chester;
	(2)  what the average ambulance response time is for (a) an emergency call and (b) other categories of call in Warrington.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not collected centrally, but can be requested from North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust direct.

Anticoagulation-related Bleeding

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the annual cost to the NHS of anticoagulation-related bleeding was in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to improve clinical outcomes for patients receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy;
	(3)  how many people were admitted to hospital as a result of anticoagulation-related bleeding in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: Information on the annual cost to the National Health Service of anticoagulation-related bleeding is not collected centrally.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published technology appraisal guidance on 15 March 2012 recommending the use of dabigatran etexilate, an orally administered anticoagulant, as an option for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism within its licensed indication.
	The number of people admitted to hospital as a result of anticoagulation-related bleeding in each of the last five years is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Count of finished admission episodes (1)  (FAEs) with a primary diagnosis (2)  of anticoagulation-related bleeding for the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 (3) 
			 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			  FAEs total 
			 2010-11 188 
			 2009-10 198 
			 2008-09 190 
			 2007-08 226 
			 2006-07 176 
			 (1) Finished Admission Episodes (FAE) A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2) Number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary or secondary diagnosis The number of episodes where this diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. Each episode is only counted once, even if the diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. ICD-10 codes used: D68.3—haemorrhagic disorder due to circulating anticoagulants in a primary position Y44.2—Anticoagulants in any secondary positions (3) Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information Centre

Cholesterol

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the level of compliance by service providers with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Clinical Guideline 71 on the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  with reference to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Clinical Guideline 71, what plans he has to increase the diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: No assessment has been made of the level of compliance by service providers with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline, on the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolemia.
	NICE clinical guidelines represent best practice and we expect commissioners to take them fully into account in their decision-making. In view of their complexity and because of the different states of readiness for implementation in the national health service, clinical guidelines are not subject to the same statutory funding direction as NICE's technology appraisals.
	Everyone having an NHS Health Check will have a cholesterol test. We have taken the opportunity in the Best Practice Guidance for the NHS Health Check programme to highlight familial hypercholesterolaemia for consideration if an individual's total cholesterol is >7.5 mmol/l—as set out in the NICE clinical guideline.
	Familial hypercholesterolaemia will also be one of the issues considered during the development of the Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy.

Cholesterol

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to complete the development of a quality standard on identification and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Simon Burns: We have asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop a Quality Standard on familial hypercholesterolaemia, as part of a library of approximately 170 NHS Quality Standards. NICE has not yet published a timescale for the development of this Quality Standard.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he plans to publish regulations on the independent commissioning by clinical commissioning groups of NHS services;
	(2)  by what date he plans to publish regulations on commissioning by local clinical consortia of services provided by local GPs.

Simon Burns: The Health and Social Care Bill provides for sector specific regulations for commissioners of NHS services, which would apply to clinical commissioning groups and the NHS Commissioning Board. The Government's intention is that commissioners should have a full range of options, including the option of securing services through competition, or without competition, with decisions taken in the best interests of their patients.
	Regulations would require commissioners to act transparently and be able to justify their decisions in terms of patients' best interests.
	The Government intends to publish a consultation on the regulations in the summer and then make the regulations so that they come into force from April 2013.

Clinical Commissioning Group

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions his Department has had with (a) the NHS Commissioning Board, (b) the European Commission and (c) the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the application of European competition law to the decisions of the proposed clinical commissioning groups; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions officials in his Department have had with officials in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the application of European competition law to the decisions of the proposed clinical commissioning groups; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Health and Social Care Bill provides for sector specific regulations for commissioners of NHS services, which would apply to clinical commissioning groups and the NHS Commissioning Board. The Government's intention is that commissioners should have a full range of options, including the option of securing services through competition, or without competition, with decisions taken in the best interests of their patients. Regulations would require commissioners to act transparently and be able, to justify their decisions in terms of patients' best interests.
	This sector-specific approach is consistent with the Department of Health's view that commissioners of NHS services would not be acting as undertakings for the purpose of the Competition Act 1998, in respect of their purchasing activities, and would not be required to competitively tender for services in all circumstances under the Public Contracts Regulations 2006. We understand that officials have discussed this interpretation of the Competition Act 1998. with colleagues in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. We are not aware of any such discussions with the European Commission. The NHS Commissioning Board is yet to be established.

Coeliac Disease: Health Services

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of people with undiagnosed coeliac disease.

Paul Burstow: All general practitioners should be familiar with the recognition and treatment of celiac disease. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a clinical guideline on the recognition and assessment of coeliac disease in 2009, and other guidance is available from sources familiar to general practitioners (GPs) such as Patient Co UK. In addition, the Food Standards Agency works closely with Coeliac UK, health professionals and dieticians to improve awareness of the disease and to ensure that, once diagnosed, individuals are provided with the right information to help them make safe food choices and to manage their condition effectively. Ministers have included coeliac disease in the list of topics referred to NICE for the development of quality standards.

Diabetes: Chiropody

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of diabetes patients in West Kent patient care trust received foot-care checks in 2011.

Paul Burstow: There are two sources of data for assessing the extent to which foot checks are provided: the National Diabetes Audit and the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) achievement data.
	The National Diabetes Audit 2009-10 shows that, from data received by 97.1% of practices, 82.9% of diabetics registered in NHS West Kent primary care trust (PCT) had foot checks performed. Audit Data for 2010-11 is due to be published in November 2012.
	The QOF indicators for diabetic foot care in 2010-11 were as follows:
	DM09: The percentage of patients with diabetes with a record of the presence or absence of peripheral pulses in the previous 15 months; and
	DM10: The percentage of patients with diabetes with a record of neuropathy testing in the previous 15 months.
	According to NHS West Kent PCT, QOF data for 2010-11, for DM09 the underlying achievement for practices in the PCT was 92.2% and for DM10 91.8%. Underlying achievement means the percentage of eligible patients (excluding those who were excepted from the indicator) who received the checks. The exception rate in NHS West Kent PCT was reported as 7.8% for DM09 and 7.9% for DM10.
	The QOF gives an indication of the overall achievement of a practice through a points system. It contains groups of indicators, against which practices score points. The results are published annually. Practices are allowed to exception-report (exclude) patients were either treatment is not judged appropriate or who have failed to attend booked appointments. Therefore when analysing the data, it is important to acknowledge both figures.
	The differences in results between the audit and QOF may be ascribable to variations in scope and data assessment methodology. We intend to work with stakeholders to understand the reasons for the differences and to identify what needs to be done as a result.

Diabetes: Chiropody

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to make the use of podiatrists, surgeons and specialist nurses in multi-disciplinary teams specialising in diabetes footcare by primary care trusts mandatory.

Paul Burstow: Decisions on the. formation and composition of multi disciplinary teams should be based on the health needs of the local community and guidance on best practice.
	Clinical evidence suggests there is considerable potential to improve the quality of footcare for people with diabetes.
	Primary care trusts should examine the structure and organisation of care in the delivery of footcare to both people with diabetes and those who do not have the condition, to determine how to make improvements to their delivery of care. Principally, they should look to commissioning expert multidisciplinary footcare teams.

Drugs: Shortages

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of compensating pharmacists for the time spent sourcing medicines that are in short supply.

Simon Burns: Following discussions with Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, the Department agreed an additional £12 million as part of the funding for the community pharmacy contractual framework (CPCF) for 2010-11, to reflect the extra work involved in sourcing medicines not already covered in the CPCF funding. This sum was reflected in the funding settlement for 2011-12. The future funding levels for the CPCF are under review following the publication of the Cost of Service Inquiry.

Emergency Calls

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time was for an ambulance 999 response in rural areas in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: This information is not centrally collected. The Department collects data on the response time performance of ambulance trusts in England. The data are collected at ambulance trust level and do not distinguish between rural and urban areas.
	In January 2012, performance against the ‘A8’ target (75% of Category A immediately life-threatening calls should receive a response within eight minutes) was 77.9% in England. Performance against the ‘A19’ target (95% of Category A patients requiring transport should receive this within 19 minutes of the request for transport being made) was 97.0% in England.

First Aid: Education

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the inclusion of emergency life support skills in the core national curriculum.

Anne Milton: I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave him on 13 March 2012, Official Report, column 186W.

Gastrointestinal System: Health Services

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the Quality and Outcomes Framework improves the standard of care for gastroenterological conditions.

Simon Burns: The prioritisation and development of potential indicators for inclusion in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is the responsibility of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
	The independent Advisory Committee that advises NICE on QOF indicators met on 9 June 2011 and considered the evidence base for irritable bowel syndrome as a potential topic for indicator development. The committee decided not to recommend progression of this area for further indicator development. Full details of the discussion were published in the minutes of the June 2011 committee meeting on the NICE website at:
	www.nice.org.uk/media/718/34/QOF_Independent_Primary_Care_QOF_Indicator_Advisory_ Committee_090611_unconfirmed_minutes.pdf

Health Services: Homelessness

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of health improvement and modernisation plans include a policy on rough sleepers.

Anne Milton: The Department does not hold information centrally on the proportion of health improvement and modernisation plans that include a policy on rough sleepers, however, tackling the poor health outcomes experienced by those sleeping rough is a priority for us. The Inclusion Health programme has been established to improve the health of the most vulnerable in society, including the homeless, and the Ministerial Working Group on preventing and tackling Homelessness is co-ordinating actions across eight Government Departments to achieve the vision to end rough sleeping.

Health Services: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients registered at an address in Wales received treatment at a hospital in England in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) 2011.

Simon Burns: The available information is shown as follows. The data provided are for residents of Wales who attended hospitals in England for the years 2007-08 to 2010-11. The numbers of episodes, appointments or admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a single patient may have had more than one appointment or admission within the year.
	
		
			 Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector where the patient was resident in Wales for years 2007-08 to 2010-11 
			  2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 
			 Total in-patients (FAEs)(1) 56,279 55,822 54,466 50,874 
			 Total accident and emergency attendances 44,866 43,541 40,253 38,615 
			 Total out-patient appointments(2) 319,818 306,781 272,366 242,450 
			 Total first out-patient appointments 96,341 91,214 79,325 71,494 
			 Total first attended appointments(3) 79,671 75,444 64,522 58,274 
			 (1) Finished admission episodes (FAEs): A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. (2 )Appointment count: The number of planned/booked appointments for out-patients. This includes first and subsequent follow up appointments (3) First attendance: A first out-patient attendance that was either face-to-face or via a telephone/telemedicine consultation. Note: The totals for out-patients include treated and untreated as a patient may or may not have been referred elsewhere for treatment after their first appointment. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)

Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the remuneration package is for the new Chief Executive of Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held by the Department. The hon. Member may wish to approach Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust directly.
	National health service trusts are independent employers in their own right. As such, they are responsible for employment decisions about their staff, including chief executives and other executive directors, in accordance with general employment law and human resources best practice.
	Each NHS trust has a remuneration committee, staffed by non-executive directors, which makes decisions-about remuneration and allowances. NHS trusts disclose fully what they pay their executive and other staff in their annual reports, which are in the public domain.

HIV Infection

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the provision of treatment for those people entering the UK who are HIV positive; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: With effect from October 2012, anyone entering the United Kingdom who is diagnosed HIV positive will, where clinically necessary, be entitled to receive national health service treatment irrespective of residency status. Providing treatment free of charge to visitors to the UK who are HIV positive brings the treatment of HIV into line with other sexually transmitted infections and infectious diseases.
	Effective treatment greatly reduces the risk of HIV transmission to uninfected people and is beneficial to, and protects wider public health.

In Vitro Fertilisation

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure greater equality of access to in-vitro fertilisation treatment in the national health service.

Anne Milton: Subject to the successful passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, infertility treatment services will be commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). We will continue to expect that those involved in commissioning infertility treatment services are fully aware of the importance of having regard to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence fertility guidelines, including the recommendation that up to three cycles of in vitro fertilisation are offered to eligible couples where the woman is aged between 23 and 39. The NHS Commissioning Board will provide oversight and support to CCGs with reference to their commissioning responsibilities.

Information Commissioner

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appeals his Department has made to an information tribunal contesting a decision notice of the Information Commissioner in the last 12 months.

Simon Burns: From March 2011 to the present, the Department made three appeals to the First-Tier Tribunal contesting a decision notice from the Information Commissioner's Office. Two of the appeals concerned the recent related Transition Risk and Strategic Risk register cases which were heard together on 5 and 6 March 2012.

Mental Health Services

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the merits of mental health inpatients being treated in hospitals near their families and communities.

Paul Burstow: The provision of safe, modern effective mental health services that offer real choice to patients remains a Government priority. Our expectation is that treatment and care will be provided in the most appropriate and therapeutic environment for the patient. Services should consult the needs and wishes of patients when making decisions about community or hospital based treatment.
	We know that when patients receive treatment for long periods at a distance from home, this makes it difficult to maintain social networks and friendships. Our mental health strategy “No Health without Mental Health” sets out the expectation that people should receive services locally as far as possible and commissioners should develop systems to enable this, working closely with service users with mental health problems, family carers and service providers.

NHS: Manpower

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the number of (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) managers working in the NHS in the North East since May 2010.

Simon Burns: The change in the number, since May 2010 to the latest period that data is available, of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the identified groups, for the North East Strategic Health Authority area is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  FTE  
			  May 2010 November 2011 Change Percentage change 
			 All doctors (including locums) 5,358 5,671 313 5.8 
			 All qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 19,692 19,323 -370 -1.9 
			 All managers and senior managers 2,033 1,679 -355 -17.4 
			 Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre

NHS: Olympic Games 2012

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what preparations the Government has made to cope with change in the level of demand for NHS services during the London 2012 Olympic Games in (a) the South East and (b) Kent.

Anne Milton: To assist preparations to cope with the potential impact on national health service resources during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, additional funding totalling £18.85 million has been awarded by the Department to London and South strategic health authorities (SHAs).
	We have established a process that supports SHAs in assessing the potential impact of the games on their services and confirming plans are in place to mitigate any impact.
	NHS London and NHS South have plans in place to ensure that they are able to deliver business as usual health services in the event of increased pressure on local NHS service, capacity.

Official Engagements

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his official engagements are on 15 March 2012.

Simon Burns: Ministers have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects. Information on meetings which have taken place between Ministers and external organisations is published quarterly in arrears in accordance with the Ministerial Code.

Physiotherapy: Strokes

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the availability of and access to community-based physiotherapy services for stroke patients.

Simon Burns: It is the responsibility of local national health service organisations to commission services to meet the needs of their community including the provision of and access to physiotherapy services.
	The provision of appropriate, tailored and flexible rehabilitation is known to improve long-term recovery and reduce long-term disability in people with stroke. The Accelerating Stroke Improvement programme has a focus on improving access to early supported discharge arrangements that will support development of stroke, specific rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, in the community.
	There have also been a number of initiatives to improve access to physiotherapy and other allied health professional services including delivering services more efficiently. The Allied Health Professional Service Improvement Project demonstrated in a range of services, including physiotherapy, how service redesign could improve access and clinical outcomes, and release cost-savings back into the system. Details about this project can be found at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_126840

Prescription Drugs

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons his Department does not hold information centrally on shortages of prescription drugs.

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2012, Official Report, column 625W, on pharmacy: databases, for what reasons his Department does not maintain its own list of branded medicines in short supply.

Simon Burns: The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee collates reports from pharmacy contractors on medicines that they have had difficulty sourcing and publishes the Branded Shortages List on their website:
	www.psnc.org.uk/pages/problem_medicines_list.html
	The Department carefully monitors shortages of medicines but does not systematically collect information on all shortages. We are cautious about placing additional data return burdens on pharmacists.

Primary Care Trusts: Telephone Numbering

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to end the use of 0844 prefix telephone numbers for (a) the Referral Booking Management System and (b) IT departments of primary care trusts or their successor bodies.

Simon Burns: The Department issued guidance and directions to national health service bodies in December 2009 on the cost of telephone calls, which prohibit the use of telephone numbers which charge people more than the equivalent cost of calling a geographical number to contact any part of the NHS. Where NHS bodies are charging people more, all reasonable steps should be taken to rectify this. The Department issued further guidance on 23 February 2012 clarifying these directions.

Smoking: Health Services

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much NHS Smokefree and its associated regional offices spent on (a) advertising, (b) marketing and (c) lobbying in relation to his Department's consultation on plain packaging.

Anne Milton: In “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A tobacco control plan for England”, the Government undertook to consult on options to reduce the promotional impact of tobacco packaging, including plain packaging. This consultation will be launched in the spring.
	The NHS Smokefree marketing campaign is funded and run by the Department of Health. The Department's NHS Smokefree marketing campaign has no regional offices. The Department of Health has not spent any money on advertising or marketing the forthcoming consultation on tobacco packaging, neither through the NHS Smokefree marketing campaign, nor through any other organisation.
	Local national health service bodies have established and funded the following tobacco control organisations: Smokefree South West, Fresh North East and Tobacco Free Futures North West. The Department does not centrally collect information on how much money, if any, these organisations may have spent on activities associated with advertising, marketing or lobbying in relation to the forthcoming consultation on tobacco packaging.
	“Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A tobacco control plan for England” has already been placed in the Library.

Specialised Commissioning Innovation Fund

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he expects the Specialised Commissioning Innovation Fund to begin operation;
	(2)  what budget he has allocated for the Specialised Commissioning Innovation Fund;
	(3)  with reference to his Department's publication, Innovation, Health and Wealth, what progress he has made in the development of a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence implementation collaborative;
	(4)  what progress he has made on the development of a tariff for diagnostic services.

Simon Burns: ‘Innovation Health and Wealth: accelerating adoption and diffusion in the NHS’ was published on the 5 December. 2011 and we are making good progress on all recommendations.
	Work is under way with a wide range of stakeholders to co-produce the diagnostics tariff, how the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Implementation Collaborative will operate and the detailed operating arrangements, including the budget, for the Specialised Services Commissioning Innovation Fund. The Specialised Services Commissioning Innovation Fund will be piloted in 2012-13, becoming fully operational from April 2013.

Third Sector

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department gave to (a) the Stephen Lawrence Trust, (b) Magic Breakfast, (c) Barnados and (d) the Children's Society in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The Department can confirm that funding was provided to the named organisations as follows:
	
		
			 £ 
			 Recipient organisations 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Stephen Lawrence Trust 0 0 
			 Magic Breakfast 0 0 
			 Barnado's 0 0 
			 Children's Society 407,351 317,039 
		
	
	It should be noted that funding for 2011-12 represents the latest allocations and additional funding could be allocated in the remaining month of the financial year.
	This corrects the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Guildford (Anne Milton), on 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 116W.

Tuberculosis

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of TB incidence was in each primary care trust area in the last year for which figures are available; what steps his Department is taking to mark World TB day on 24th March; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The information on incidence is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available has been placed in the Library.
	The chief medical officer will be providing the foreword to the Health Protection Agency's annual “Tuberculosis Update” to mark world. TB Day. TB Alert, the national tuberculosis (TB) charity which receives grant-funding from the Department, will be supporting local TB awareness events across the country.

Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children travelling to, or moving to the UK from areas with high incidence of tuberculosis receive Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccinations.

Anne Milton: The information requested is not available. In 2010-11, a total of 209,300 children in England received the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. BCG vaccination is recommended to be given in a number of circumstances. However, we do not record how many of these vaccinations were given because the child was entering this country from another country with a high incidence of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure accessibility and affordability of travel to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccinations for children;
	(2)  how families are informed of and provided with travel to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccinations for children.

Anne Milton: The National Health Service (Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges) Regulations 2003 provide for patients on low incomes to receive reimbursement of travel costs to attend secondary care appointments when referred by an NHS doctor or dentist. This is known as the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.
	Both primary care trusts and provider units are responsible for promoting the scheme to their local populations and ensuring that it is accessible to those who qualify. Details of the scheme are available on the NHS choices website, Jobcentre Plus and from NHS providers.

Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delivery of childhood vaccinations such as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for high risk groups will be ensured under clinical commissioning and local authorities if the Health and Social Care Bill is implemented.

Anne Milton: The Department will commission all national immunisation programmes from the National Health Service Commissioning Board (NHS CB) by means of a formal written agreement. There is work in hand on finalising the model for how the NHS CB will commission immunisation in the new system, drawing appropriately on the expertise of Public Health England.

Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department is working with the Department for International Development and the UK Border Agency on tuberculosis control.

Anne Milton: The Department liaises with the Department for International Development (DfID) on World Health Organization reports, resolutions and guidance on global tuberculosis (TB). DfID’s support to the product development of the new vaccines, diagnostics and treatment will have direct benefit to control of tuberculosis in the United Kingdom.
	The Department and the Health Protection Agency are collaborating with Home Office and UK Border Agency in reviewing current arrangements for TB screening of new entrants to this country from high incidence countries. The Health Protection Agency also manages the operation of the current on-entry TB screening arrangements at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Domestic Violence

Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce levels of domestic violence.

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce levels of domestic violence.

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce levels of domestic violence.

Theresa May: The Government's updated action plan for our strategy to “End Violence Against Women and Girls” was published on 8 March. We have ring-fenced nearly £40 million of stable funding for specialist local domestic and sexual violence support services until 2015. The plan also includes new actions to help reduce domestic violence, including a one-year pilot to test a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme from the summer of 2012.

Police Forces: Collaboration

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the potential benefits of collaboration between police forces.

Theresa May: I welcome the increasing levels of collaboration between police forces, and expect more forces to consider how to work together to bring improvements and save money. The Government have estimated that forces could save £350 million per year by joining up on procurement and from IT. Further substantial savings could be made through collaboration in back office functions.

Burglary

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of trends in the level of burglaries in the past year; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The latest quarterly published crime statistics show that police recorded burglary fell by 4%, while burglary trends in the British Crime Survey remain broadly stable across England and Wales. However, crime remains too high. That is why we are shifting power to local communities through the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners, and freeing the police from paperwork to fight crime.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the sexual exploitation of children.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government are absolutely committed to tackling child sexual exploitation.
	Our National Action Plan contains commitments to ensure the police are able to better identify and protect children from this form of abuse and includes measures to maximise efforts to secure prosecutions and disrupt this form of exploitation locally.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what functions she expects police and crime commissioners to perform.

Nick Herbert: Police and Crime Commissioners will have a powerful mandate to cut crime. They will set local policing priorities; the force budget and local council tax precept level. And they will appoint the chief constable, holding them to account for the delivery of policing in their force area.

Asylum: Housing

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to monitor the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers by private providers which have been contracted to provide accommodation by the UK Border Agency; and what plans she has to review any subcontracts into which these providers may enter.

Damian Green: Providers contracted to provide accommodation for asylum seekers are responsible for managing provision of the required services. They are required to maintain the standards as set out in the schedule of requirements to the contract. The COMPASS contracts, to be introduced during 2012, include enhanced key performance indicators to ensure effective monitoring of the quality of service provided. Compliance is monitored by the UK Border Agency through a programme of local audits and compliance checks.
	Under the COMPASS contracts, providers must give the UK Border Agency 10 days' notice before entering, into a material subcontract to include all relevant documents including the proposed subcontract. Where appropriate the UK Border Agency will provide written consent to enter into the subcontract.

Crime: Control Orders

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to EU Council Decision 2002/188/JHA of 28 February 2002, whether paramethoxymethylamphetamine is subject to control measures and criminal penalties in the UK.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 15 March 2012
	The EU Council Decision 2002/188/JHA defined paramethoxymethylamphetamine or N-methyl-1— (4-methoxy-phenyl)-2-aminopropane (PMMA) as a new synthetic drug to be made subject to control measures and criminal sanctions by member states.
	No action was required by the UK as PMMA has been controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as a Class A drug since 1977. The possession, supply and production of PMMA are therefore prohibited and, unless under lawful authority, attract Class A criminal penalties.

Cybercrime

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which sections in her Department are responsible for cyber crime.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office's Crime Directorate, part of Crime and Policing Group, has policy responsibility for cyber crime.

Databases: Telecommunications

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to require network operators to extract communications data from communications sessions between end users and third party information society service providers.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 15 March 2012
	As set out in the Home Office's Structural Reform Plan, details of the Government's legislative proposals to preserve the abilities of law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to obtain communications data within the appropriate legal framework will be announced in Parliament in due course.

Drugs

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to EU Council Decision 2001/419/JHA of 28 May 2001, on the transmission of samples of controlled substances, who the UK's national contact is for the transfer of samples of controlled substances under the Decision; and how many such transfers occurred to and from the UK in each year since 2002.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 14 March 2012
	The Home Office is the 'named contact' for the purposes of the transmission of samples of controlled substances under the EU Council Decision in December 2011. The information requested on transmission of samples of controlled drugs is not held centrally.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to Article 3 of EU Council Decision 2002/956/JHA of 28 November 2002, how many officials have been seconded (a) to and (b) from the UK as part of the EU network for the protection of public figures in each of the last 10 years; and what assessment her Department has made of the EU network's effectiveness.

James Brokenshire: No officials have been seconded to or from the UK to the EU network for the protection of public figures. The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have not been amended or replaced. This measure falls within the scope of that decision and will be reviewed accordingly.

EU Justice and Home Affairs

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to EU Council Decision 2002/996/JHA of 28 November 2002, how many evaluation teams established under Article 4 of the Decision have conducted evaluations in the UK in each year since 2003; and what evaluation they have made of the UK's arrangements to combat terrorism.

James Brokenshire: Two peer evaluations have been carried out in the UK as part of wider evaluations of member states, the first from June 2003 to May 2005 and the second from August 2007 to November 2009. Copies of the two final reports are available on the Council of the European Union website at the following links:
	http://register.consilium.eu.int/pdf/en/05/st12/st12168-re03.en05.pdf
	http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/10/st08/st08568.en10.pdf#
	Copies of the documents have also been placed in the House Libraries.

Families

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department has allocated to the troubled families initiative in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15.

James Brokenshire: The Troubled Families programme was allocated £0 in 2011-12, £15 million in 2012-13, £30 million in 2013-14 and £30 million in 2014-15 by the Home Department.

Illegal Immigrants

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made by the UK Border Agency in reducing illegal working in (a) Kettering, (b) Northamptonshire and (c) England.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency conducts targeted intelligence-led enforcement operations to detect and apprehend illegal workers and penalise employers who break the law. A system of civil and criminal sanctions enables the UK Border Agency to take appropriate action against non-compliant employers who negligently or deliberately employ those without permission to work in this country. Since the start of the civil penalty regime on 29 February 2008 6624 initial penalties have been issued to businesses in England and Wales.
	The records kept by the UK Border Agency show that during illegal working visits in the UK in year 2010-11, 19,025 individuals were encountered; this includes figures for those arrested. It is not possible to disaggregate these figures by constituency or county without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Police: Employment

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the number of police officers with second jobs.

Nick Herbert: The requested information is not held centrally by the Home Office.

Police: Olympic Games 2012

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers from each police force are expected to be (a) on duty and (b) on standby during the (i) London Olympic games and (ii) London Paralympic games.

Nick Herbert: Overall deployments of police officers in each force area are an operational matter for chief officers. During the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, it is estimated that around 12,000 police officers may be on duty across the UK on peak days, with 9,000 on duty in the London area. Some of these will be officers deployed under mutual aid arrangements.
	Mutual aid between police forces for the games is co-ordinated through the Association of Chief Police Officers, Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre (ACPO PNICC). The number of officers to be requested is kept under constant review, and it is expected that all non-venue forces across the UK will be asked to supply resources during the London 2012 games. Final figures for requests are not yet available, but PNICC will ensure that this is proportionate to their relative size and capacity. Donor forces will be reimbursed in accordance with the prevailing mutual aid arrangements, which will allow the chief constable, should he or she choose to do so, to back fill for officers abstracted, thereby mitigating any potential impact on local service delivery.

Prescription Drugs

Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the outcome was of her Department’s consultation in 2007 on the prescribing of controlled drugs by nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers;
	(2)  what plans she has for the reform of the regulation relating to independent prescribing of controlled drugs by nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Health, (b) healthcare professional bodies and (c) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on reform of the system of independent prescribing of controlled drugs by nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers.

James Brokenshire: The consultation responses gave support to the proposal to implement legislative changes to enable nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers to prescribe all medicines within their competence.
	The Home Office has ongoing discussions with the Department of Health, who engage with health care professional bodies, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, including proposals relating to independent prescribing of controlled drugs.
	The Home Office is currently working on a statutory instrument to implement the changes on independent prescribing. The statutory instrument will be laid in Parliament this month, subject to my consideration. The expectation is that the changes will take effect in April 2012.

Proceeds of Crime

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2012, Official Report, column 186W, on proceeds of crime, who will receive the interest accruing on the funds held by the authorities in Jersey.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 8 March 2012
	Discussions on the seized funds and any rights arising there from are ongoing.

Terrorism

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the UK has enacted the provisions of EU Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA of 13 June 2002; and what assessment her Department has made of the Decision's effectiveness in combating terrorism.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 15 March 2012
	The UK has a comprehensive range of terrorism offences which complied with most of the EU Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA when it came into force in June 2002.
	The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have not been amended or replaced. This measure falls within the scope of that decision and will be reviewed accordingly.

Third Sector

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department gave to (a) the Stephen Lawrence Trust, (b) Magic Breakfast, (c) Barnardo’s and (d) the Children's Society in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The Home Office has paid £1,536,000 to Barnardo’s in 2011-12. No payments have been made to the Stephen Lawrence Trust, Magic Breakfast or the Children's Society.

EDUCATION

Children: Abuse

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will consider the findings of Action for Children’s report Child Neglect in 2011 when revising the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance.

Tim Loughton: Intervening early to prevent the abuse of children is one of the most important jobs of a civilised society, and one this Government takes very seriously. Our approach to protecting children is underpinned by a programme of radical reform. Our aim is two-fold: to create a system whereby social workers can and do intervene as soon as possible where a child is suffering or at risk of suffering harm; and to ensure those children receive the care and support they need.
	Evidence shows the earlier that help is given to vulnerable children and families, the more chance there is of turning lives around and protecting children from harm. The Government’s vision is for a child centred system which includes providing effective help when a problem arises at any stage in a child’s life.
	The Action for Children research, which showed that awareness of child neglect among professionals and the public is improving, reported that child protection and safeguarding systems have been shown to stand in the way of appropriate assessments for neglected children. Professor Munro’s review of the child protection system had previously found that an excess of central Government prescription had unbalanced the focus of the system.
	Through revisions to the statutory guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children” and “The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families”, we are exploring how best to reduce central prescription to give local areas more freedom to determine how assessments are carried out. Our aim is to free social workers and other professionals from unnecessary bureaucracy so they have more time for better quality work with children and families.
	To support this, we are working with eight trial authorities which are trialling more flexible approaches to assessment. They are replacing fixed national time scales for the completion of assessments with professional judgments based on timeliness and quality. Early evidence from the trials is encouraging and suggests that more flexible approaches to assessment can have the positive impact on practice envisaged by Professor Munro. Further learning from these trials will inform the revised “Working Together”.
	However, statutory guidance itself is not sufficient to effect the change needed. We are undertaking a number of reforms to strengthen social work practice. This includes improving the social work degree and developing further the skills of existing social workers in critical areas such as child protection. We intend to appoint a chief social worker, who will work with the new College of Social Work and the newly designated Principal Child and Family Social Workers in local authorities to drive improvement and raise standards. The Department has also commissioned Action for Children and the university of Stirling to produce training materials to help equip the work force to respond effectively to children who are likely to be, or have been, neglected. These will be published in the spring.

Children: Day Care

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the rate of change in the cost of child care (a) in 2012 and (b) over the next five years.

Sarah Teather: The Childcare and Early Years Providers survey collects information about the cost of child care in different areas and for different kinds of providers every two years. The 2010 survey, published in September 2011, gives the most recent data on child care costs. The survey compares costs between 2008 and 2010 in tables 9.5 and 9.6 (on page 183) and is available to download from the Department for Education’s website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d001024/osr17-2011.pdf
	The overall mean average hourly fee for full day care in 2010 was £3.70. It had increased from £3.50 in 2008 (a 6% rise). No estimate has been made of the rate of change in the cost of child care over the next five years.

Children: Day Care

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of additional qualified child care workers required to meet the additional needs of caring for the 140,000 two-year-olds who his Department expects to be in early education from 2013.

Sarah Teather: We are pleased that the extension of free early education will make a significant contribution to economic growth through the creation of new jobs in the sector. As part of our planning for the introduction of the new entitlement, we are continuing to scope the work force implications and how many extra jobs will be created, and no firm estimate is yet available.
	We will continue to work closely with our co-production partners and a number of sector organisations, both to check our analysis and to gather their views on the work force and other delivery issues.

Children's Centres

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how his Department plans to evaluate the effect of the payment by results trials on providers of children's centres.

Sarah Teather: We are currently tendering for a contractor to run a process evaluation of the trials. One of the intentions of the evaluation will be to explore the impact of the trials on providers of children's centres by conducting interviews with the trial local authorities and individual providers concerned. The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations is represented on the Department's project board for the trial and has been proactive in reflecting the views of voluntary and community sector providers to the policy team.

Children's Centres

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his Department plans to evaluate whether the payment by results trials have improved outcomes for children and families in the trial areas.

Sarah Teather: We are currently tendering for a contractor to run a process evaluation which will consider whether the trials affect behaviour in a way which will improve outcomes for local children and families.

Children's Centres

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether his payment by results trials for children's centres is intended to improve outcomes for children and families in the trial areas.

Sarah Teather: Yes, the purpose of the trials is to test whether payment by results improves incentives to focus on the core purpose of children's centres: to improve child development and school readiness among young children and to reduce inequalities.

Children's Centres

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he will use the results of his payment by results trials for Sure Start children's centres to inform policy to improve outcomes for children; and how he plans to do so.

Sarah Teather: The payment by results trials will inform whether and how payment by results approaches are taken forward in future. We will also use any wider lessons from the trials and their evaluation about how best to improve future policy. We, and the local authorities participating in the trials, want to take every opportunity to learn from them to improve outcomes for children.

Consultants

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on consultants' fees in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; if he will list the names of such consultants; and if he will place copies of the contracts in the Library.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 13 March 2012
	The Department does not hold centrally information on consultants' fees.
	Costs for consultancy fees are usually negotiated as part of the tendering process. Consultancy engagements are charged, including applying costs for goods and services, in different ways; for example, goods may be for a fixed price, services on a daily/monthly rate basis, etc. To collect this information would involve contacting all directorates in the Department which would incur disproportionate costs.

Education: Prisoners

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the education of prisoners; and what assessment he has made of the place that education that is not focussed on work-based skills has in the rehabilitation of prisoners.

John Hayes: I launched 'Making Prisons Work: Skills for Rehabilitation' in May last year, setting out a new strategy for the education of prisoners based on the review of offender learning I had commissioned in the summer of 2010.
	The new strategy, developed jointly with the Ministry of Justice, reinforces our public service reforms, shifting power away from the centre of Government into the hands of front line staff, and places a much greater focus on developing the vocational skills demanded by employers in the areas to which prisoners are to be released. The link between recidivism and ex-offenders' failure to find work is clear: gaining the skills needed to secure employment on release gives prisoners a good chance of turning their lives around.
	'Making Prisons Work: Skills for Rehabilitation' made clear that, like other learners, offenders should have access to a wider offer of informal learning that brings broader benefits such as improved health. The strategy particularly recognised the value that the arts can play in the rehabilitation process by encouraging self-esteem and improving communication skills.
	The specification for the Skills Funding Agency's procurement of replacement prison learning providers makes clear that tendering organisations must deliver this informal learning activity. The document emphasises that, though more indirectly related to the employment and skills agenda, learning of this type must still contribute to engagement and motivation, and to the development and eventual employability of individuals. We have made clear that lead providers are likely to propose a cadre of subcontractors in order to deliver the broad requirements of the prison clusters on which the procurement is based, and the specification sets out the Agency's expectations of bidding organisations in operating such a dispersed delivery model.

Procurement

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of contracts issued by (a) his Department and (b) agencies for which he is responsible were rewarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: To obtain the information on what proportion of contracts issued by the Department and its agencies were rewarded to small and medium-sized enterprises could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Teachers: Secondary Education

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) men and (b) women qualified as secondary school teachers in (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11.

Nick Gibb: The number of (a) men and (b) women who achieved qualified teacher status (QTS) as secondary school teachers in academic years (i) 2008/09 and (ii) 2009/10 are provided in the following table. Data for (iii) 2010/11 are not yet available.
	
		
			 Number attaining qualified teacher status (QTS) as secondary teachers in England, by gender, 2008/09 to 2009/10 
			  Gender  
			 Academic year Male Female Total 
			 2008-09 6,120 11,230 17,350 
			 2009-10 6,930 12,070 18,990 
			 Notes: 1. Includes all postgraduate, undergraduate, college-based and employment-based routes of initial teacher training (ITT). 2. Includes teachers attaining QTS on both secondary and combined key stage 2 and 3 ITT courses. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, so totals may not appear to be the sum of their parts. Source: TDA Performance Profiles

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Episcopal Visitors

Peter Bottomley: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, how many people were on the electoral roll of each church covered by a provincial episcopal visitor in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tony Baldry: The details of the individual electoral roll of parishes are not held centrally by the Church Commissioners or Archbishops Council. Data we do hold relates to the number of petitioning parishes which have petitioned for extended episcopal ministry (under the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993).
	The figures which are centrally available relate to the total number of parishes which have requested such ministry, from bishops from within the diocese, regionally and provincially.
	As of January 2012 the total number of parishes petitioning for such ministry was 383. Of this total 247 parishes are specifically overseen by Provincial Episcopal Visitors. The difference in the figures relates to the fact that not all petitioning parishes are overseen by PEVs, as in many cases it is possible to provide this ministry either from within the diocese, or region.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Food

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of food procured by his Department (a) meets the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering and (b) is from British sources.

Andrew Mitchell: Figures published in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' three Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative Reports records Department for International Development's (DFID) percentages of food domestically produced as:
	2008-09—67%
	2007-08—55%
	2006-07—66%
	More recently, DFID's two staff restaurants have operated under contract by Mitie Facilities Management since December 2010. They have advised that all food products available to purchase meet the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering. To date they have reported that approximately 54% of the food purchased for DFID's two staff restaurants has been produced from British sources.

Syria

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much official development assistance has been provided by his Department for humanitarian work in Syria; and what assessment he has made of the proportion of such assistance that reaches the people who most need it.

Alan Duncan: UK support to humanitarian agencies working in Syria will provide emergency medical services and supplies for injured civilians, food rations for over 20,000 people, essential household items for 5,500 people forced to leave their homes, emergency drinking water for 2,750 people, and restoration of damaged water and sanitation infrastructure to ensure access to safe water for over 30,000 people. The UK is also supporting UN efforts to help make food available for up to 1.7 million people caught up in the ongoing violence in Syria, as well as vital medical care. UK support amounts to £4.5 million of official development assistance.
	We are supporting those organisations which are working to get aid to the people most in need in Horns and other areas. However, humanitarian agencies continue to face restrictions on their access in Syria, which limits their ability to deliver aid to all areas and assess the full extent of humanitarian needs. That is why we continue to call on the Syrian regime to immediately put in place a robust arrangement which allows all impartial humanitarian organisations working in Syria unhindered access so they can get on with helping people in desperate need, without interference or threat of violence.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on steps to ensure that the UN humanitarian appeal for Yemen is fully funded.

Alan Duncan: I visited Yemen on the 12 March. During my visit I met President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and the main humanitarian organisations operating in the country. I also announced £6.1 million of humanitarian assistance and called upon the international community to do more to meet humanitarian needs.
	Department for International Development Ministers and officials have discussed the need for further contributions to the UN humanitarian appeal with a range of international counterparts, and will continue to do so, including at the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat meeting on the humanitarian situation in Yemen being held in Riyadh this month.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the funding received for the UN humanitarian fund for Yemen came from the UK in the latest period for which figures are available.

Alan Duncan: The UK is providing £20 million of humanitarian assistance to Yemen in 2011-12. £15.4 million of this is against 2011 calendar year appeals. The United Nations Financial Tracking Service (FTS) shows that the UK provided 8.4% of the total recorded humanitarian funding to Yemen in the 2011 calendar year. This makes the UK the 4
	(th)
	largest donor behind the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union.
	Our funding is split between a number of humanitarian organisations, with £7.5 million going to the UN humanitarian appeal (the Consolidated Appeals Process) in 2011. The FTS shows the UK contribution to be 6.3% of the total provided through this mechanism, making the UK the 3(rd) largest bilateral donor to it. Our remaining funding went to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a consortium of international non-governmental organisations.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will increase the UK's contribution to the UN humanitarian fund for Yemen.

Alan Duncan: I announced a new UK contribution of £6.1 million of humanitarian assistance during my visit to Yemen on 12 March. This is a substantial initial contribution against the United Nations (UN) and International Committee of the Red Cross 2012 emergency appeals for Yemen. This will help provide access to health care for over 100,000 conflict-affected civilians and emergency shelter, drinking water and sanitation for 23,000 internally displaced persons.
	Through the Department for International Development, the UK is providing £20 million of humanitarian assistance in 2011-12 and we are the fourth largest humanitarian donor for 2011 according to the UN Financial Tracking Service. We expect to announce further humanitarian support from our 2012-13 budget shortly.